With new warship, Hanwha Ocean aims to strengthen Korea’s naval edge

Charlie SC Eoh, president and COO of the naval ship business at Hanwha Ocean, unveils a model of the company’s next-generation strategic surface warship during the 3rd Advanced Naval Smart Tech Forum in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hanwha Ocean

Hanwha Ocean unveiled its next-generation strategic surface warship designed to strengthen Korea’s naval capabilities and lead the country’s future K-defense sector.

The company introduced the new model during the 3rd Advanced Naval Smart Tech Forum toward a Global Future: Innovation Waves, held Tuesday at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul. The event brought together around 100 participants, including Rep. Seo Il-jun, former Navy Chief of Staff Boo Suk-jong and experts from Korea and abroad to discuss future naval technologies and smart combat systems.

During the forum, Charlie SC Eoh, president and COO of the naval ship business at Hanwha Ocean, unveiled the model and outlined its development background and key features.

“As maritime power competition intensifies amid changing global security dynamics, a new class of naval platform is required,” Eoh said.

“This vessel embodies Hanwha Ocean’s technology and commitment to innovation, setting a new milestone in Korea’s naval shipbuilding history.”

The next-generation warship is designed to operate across multiple domains, including sea, air, space and cyber. It combines enhanced combat performance, survivability and mission flexibility. Its wave-piercing bow and tumblehome hull design improve sea-keeping and reduce radar signature, marking a clear advancement over conventional surface combatants.

Rather than building a larger ship, Hanwha developed a smaller yet more capable vessel designed to operate efficiently with a lean crew, even on extended missions. Its AI-enabled command network integrates combat and navigation systems in real time, providing a multi-layered defense against missiles, drones and other modern threats.

Inside, the ship features a smart bridge and an ergonomically designed control room to enable faster decision-making and improve working conditions for the crew.

According to Hanwha Ocean, the platform will serve as a foundation for Korea’s naval modernization over the next two to three decades, and the company aims for it to become a flagship product representing the country’s K-Defense industry at sea.