HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- Secures full order of 32 next-generation patrol vessels for coastal defense, demonstrating the technological prowess of domestically produced high-speed craft

- Four New Naval High-Speed Patrol Vessels built by HJSC

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has further reinforced its status as a leading naval defense contractor by securing an additional order for four of the ROK Navy’s next-generation high-speed patrol vessels.

The multinational shipbuilder was selected as the negotiation-target bidder for the construction of hulls 13–16 of the ROK Navy’s PKX-B Batch-II vessels, commissioned by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). After completing technical negotiations and related procedures, HJSC signed a KRW 312.5 billion construction contract with DAPA on December 17.

With this order, the global shipbuilding company has now secured all 16 vessels of the follow-up Batch-II program, following the successful delivery of 16 Batch-I vessels. This achievement reaffirms HJSC’s unmatched expertise in the high-speed naval craft sector.

The PKMR (Patrol boat Killer Medium Rocket) vessels are optimized for coastal defense and tasked with safeguarding territorial waters. The PKX-B Batch-II vessels incorporate more than 30 performance and design improvements over Batch-I, significantly enhancing operational convenience and crew habitability.

Equipped with waterjet propulsion, advanced combat systems, guided missile systems, and electronic warfare equipment, these patrol vessels boast greatly enhanced firepower, survivability, and mission capabilities. They serve as a key frontline asset and “tip of the spear” in defending the Northern Limit Line (NLL).

Over the past five decades, HJSC has established itself as a premier builder of domestically produced high-speed patrol vessels, having been entrusted with the construction of all 32 next-generation vessels. The company is recognized for executing the full lifecycle of naval vessels, from new construction to MRO operations, including projects such as the dokdo-class and missile-equipped fast craft upgrades, as well as high-speed landing craft maintenance. Notably, on December 15, HJSC became the first Korean mid-sized shipbuilder to sign a maintenance contract with the U.S. Navy, marking its entry into the international MRO market.

An HJSC official stated, “With over half a century of pride and dedication as the cradle of domestically produced high-speed patrol vessels, we will flawlessly execute the construction of these frontline coastal defense vessels, contributing to the enhancement of the nation’s maritime defense capabilities.”