South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has revealed its submarine designs while bidding for the Hellenic Navy’s major naval modernization program. The company emphasized its experience building six of the nation’s Sohn Won-yil-class (KSS-II) submarines as part of South Korea’s broader attack submarine program. HHI is also tasked with upgrading the first three KSS-II vessels, constructed between 2007 and 2009, under a $360 million contract, and highlighted its involvement in the newer KSS-III program, including delivery of the final Batch I submarine, ROKS Shin Chae-ho.
Sources noted that Hyundai also presented other naval concepts, signaling a desire for cooperation beyond just submarines. HHI joins several competitors vying for the Hellenic Ministry of Defence contract. Earlier in October, Hanwha Ocean visited Athens with the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class (KSS-III) model, while Saab Kockums offered an A26-based (Blekinge-class) design. German and French companies are proposing the Type 209NG and Scorpène Evolved submarines, respectively. The Hellenic Navy will evaluate all proposals in the coming months, advancing Greece’s largest naval upgrade initiative in decades.
