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HII and HHI have signed a memorandum of agreement in a strategy that hopes to strengthen the US naval industrial base and demonstrate the Republic of Korea’s technological advancement.
HII and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2025 in South Korea.
The objective of the MOA, to advance shipbuilding dialogue between the United States and the Republic of Korea, was signed by Joo Won-ho, president of the naval and special ship business Unit at HHI, and Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy.
“This marks the beginning of deeper collaboration between not only our companies but each of our countries that will support enduring changes to military and commercial shipbuilding in America,” Chewning said.
The MOA aims to address strategic expansion by focusing on key priorities such as strengthening the US shipbuilding industrial base, creating opportunities for Navy auxiliary shipbuilding programs, collaborating on engineering and research and development, and displaying an overall commitment to strengthen the US Navy’s position in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Through joint participation in US Navy procurement programs and investments aimed at establishing ship production bases in the United States, the two nations’ key industries are taking a major step toward deeper strategic collaboration,” Joo said.
Following a longstanding collaborative effort between the two companies, this most recent MOA is a display of greater commitment to expanding growth and strategy between the nations.
In April, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) promoting cost, resource and time efficiency in support of mutual national security interests, and in September, HHI began a regular overhaul of USNS Alan Shepard, demonstrating cooperation between HHI and the United States in the shipbuilding sector. In early October, the two companies pursued the US Navy’s next-generation logistics ship design contract.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with HHI, the US and South Korean governments, and with our customers to transform the US shipbuilding industrial base and enable accelerated throughput in our shipyards,” Chewning said.
The MOA aligns with the efforts of the United States’ Maritime Industrial Base Program which is the Navy’s effort to revitalise and strengthen America’s shipbuilding and repair capacity. Building a solid foundation and network of shipyards, manufacturers and skilled workers who design, manufacture and maintain ships for the Navy is a critical element of the US’ contemporary national security efforts. A key element of the program is maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with allies in the region, as China has outpaced the US in military shipbuilding.
“We are confident that this partnership will generate powerful synergies by combining Korea’s cutting-edge shipbuilding technologies with the US defence sector’s strong market competitiveness,” Joo said.