Hanwha Ocean has bolstered its position to enter the U.S. naval shipbuilding market by partnering with a defense industry leader known for setting standards in U.S. Navy ship design.
Hanwha Ocean announced on Wednesday that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Leidos’ subsidiary Gibbs & Cox at the SAS 2026 event in Maryland on Tuesday.
Under this agreement, the two companies will collaborate on optimizing ship designs for U.S. Navy specifications and jointly develop next-generation vessels. They also aim to establish a supply chain linking U.S. and domestic production facilities, while enhancing design sophistication with a focus on production efficiency and maintainability.
This partnership allows Hanwha Ocean to combine its shipbuilding expertise with design and engineering prowess, paving the way for a significant push into the U.S. Navy shipbuilding sector and global markets.
Gibbs & Cox, a Leidos subsidiary, has designed over 70% of U.S. Navy surface ships since World War II. The firm has been instrumental in designing key vessels such as the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (DDG-51) and the Constellation-class frigate (FFG-62).
The company is recognized as a crucial partner due to its deep understanding of U.S. Navy technical specifications and operational requirements.
Notably, Gibbs & Cox has previously collaborated with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri during its entry into the U.S. market, supporting the Constellation-class frigate and Freedom-class littoral combat ship programs.
Mike Rickels, Vice President of Leidos’ Gibbs & Cox, stated that the collaboration with Hanwha Ocean will combine the design expertise and manufacturing capabilities to develop vessels that meet the future needs of naval forces.
Uh Sung-chul, President of Hanwha Ocean’s Special Ship Business Division, commented that it will accelerate the entry into the global naval defense market while delivering tangible results.
In related news, Hanwha was the only South Korean company to set up a standalone exhibition booth at SAS 2026, which began on Tuesday. In partnership with Hanwha Systems, they showcased a diverse lineup of naval assets, including frigates, submarines, Medium Unmanned Surface Vessels (MUSVs), and Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs).