What work will Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha Philly Shipyard do for the U.S. Navy NGLS program?

They will work with Vard Marine US on market survey, concept design and refinement for the new NGLS platform. Hanwha will also support manufacturability, commercial construction practices and the evaluation of production costs.

How much has Hanwha invested in Philly Shipyard since December 2024?

Hanwha said it has invested more than $200 million since December 2024. The money was used to upgrade the shipyard’s workforce, capabilities and capacity.

What is the U.S. Navy Next Generation Logistics Ship designed to do?

The NGLS is designed to provide sustained afloat or ashore refueling, resupply and rearm capabilities. It uses a smaller platform built with commercially available, non-developmental and proven technologies.

Hanwha wins 1st US Navy subcontract for next-generation logistics ship

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Summary

Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha Philly Shipyard won their first U.S. Navy project as subcontractors to Vard Marine US for the Next Generation Logistics Ship program in 2026. The award is Hanwha Defense USA’s first U.S. Navy contract since its establishment and Hanwha Group’s acquisition of Philly Shipyard. Hanwha has invested more than $200 million since December 2024 to upgrade the shipyard. The work covers market survey, concept design refinement, manufacturability support, and production-cost evaluation.

Key Facts

The contract is for the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Logistics Ship program, also known as the light replenishment oiler, or T-AOL.
Hanwha said the award is its first U.S. Navy contract since Hanwha Defense USA was established and since Hanwha Group acquired Philly Shipyard.
Hanwha has invested more than $200 million since December 2024 to upgrade the shipyard’s workforce, capabilities and capacity.
The deal includes options for functional design planning and special studies.
The NGLS is intended to provide sustained afloat or ashore refueling, resupply and rearm capabilities using commercially available, non-developmental and proven technologies.

By Park Jae-hyuk

Published Mar 31, 2026 10:43 am KST
Updated Mar 31, 2026 10:54 am KST

Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia / Newsis

Hanwha Defense USA and Hanwha Philly Shipyard have secured their first project with the U.S. Navy as subcontractors to Vard Marine US for the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program, also known as the light replenishment oiler (T-AOL).

The contract marks the first U.S. Navy award to Hanwha Defense USA since the company’s establishment and Hanwha Group’s acquisition of the Philly Shipyard. Since December 2024, Hanwha has invested more than $200 million to upgrade the shipyard’s workforce, capabilities and capacity.

Under the deal, Hanwha will partner with VARD to conduct a market survey and carry out concept design and refinement for the new NGLS platform. The company will also support manufacturability, commercial construction practices and the evaluation of production costs.

The award includes options for functional design planning and special studies. The NGLS is designed to provide sustained afloat or ashore refueling, resupply and rearm capabilities through a smaller platform using commercially available, non-developmental and proven technologies.

“This award represents an important step in our ability to leverage our world-class shipbuilding expertise in building the ships the Navy needs to support our servicemembers deployed in contested maritime domains,” said Tom Anderson, president of shipbuilding at Hanwha Defense USA.

Darren Truelock, president of Vard Marine US, said, “Our team is committed to delivering an NGLS design foundation that advances the Navy’s replenishment capabilities through a refined, cost-effective, and operationally superior platform. We remain steadfast in our dedication to providing the U.S. Navy and the American people with solutions that uphold both fiscal responsibility and national readiness.”

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