Seoul ADEX becomes battlefield between HD Hyundai, Hanwha

Filipino Senior Defense Undersecretary Irineo Cruz Espino, second from right, listens to an explanation about Hanwha Ocean's 3,000-ton submarine at the company's exhibition booth during the Seoul ADEX 2023 at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hanwha Ocean

Once regarded as an air weapon exhibition that features an airshow and display of cutting-edge aircraft and space launch vehicles, the Seoul ADEX appears to have also become an arena of competition between Korea’s leading shipbuilders this year, according to industry officials, Thursday.

Hanwha Ocean participated in the biennial event with the group’s other defense subsidiaries ― Hanwha Aerospace and Hanwha Systems ― displaying its 3,000-ton submarine, Jang Bogo-III Batch-II, and an unmanned command and control ship for the Republic of Korea Navy.

“We decided to participate in the event to showcase Hanwha Group’s defense technologies embracing everything from space rockets to submarines,” a Hanwha Ocean official said. “Through the exhibition, we want to secure a manufacturing base to enter the global maritime defense market and let the world know our Global Ocean Solutions Provider vision.”

The shipbuilder’s exhibition drew attention of senior defense industry officials from Indonesia, the Philippines, Canada and Poland, raising expectations that the company may receive orders for warships from those countries.

However, it made a mistake in identifying Filipino Senior Defense Undersecretary Irineo Cruz Espino in a photo caption of the press release, prompting dozens of Korean news outlets to refer to him as the Indonesian vice defense minister in their articles published on Thursday morning.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) CEO Han Young-seuk, center, poses with LIG Nex1 CEO Kim Ji-chan, left, and Korea Aerospace Industries CEO Kang Goo-young, after signing a memorandum of understanding regarding their cooperation for the development of futuristic warships during the Seoul ADEX 2023 at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of HD HHI

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, did not participate in Seoul ADEX 2023, but Vice Chairman Ka Sam-hyun of the company visited the event venue on Tuesday to meet with military officials and buyers. He also toured Hanwha Group’s exhibition pavilion to learn about its anti-drone system.

On Wednesday, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), a subsidiary of HD KSOE, signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and LIG Nex1, regarding their cooperation for the development of futuristic warships.

The signing ceremony was attended by HD HHI CEO Han Young-seuk, KAI CEO Kang Goo-young and LIG Nex1 CEO Kim Ji-chan.

“The competitiveness of Korean warships will be enhanced through this cooperation among the three companies having the most advanced technologies in each of their sectors,” Han said. “Based on the cooperation, we hope to contribute to strengthening the ROK Navy and exporting our ships.”