KDefense’s Entry into Latin America Gains MomentumTum

• Four ships, including a frigate, officially began construction Peru in SIMA Shipyardwith deliveries starting in 2026
• Peru in President Dina Boluarte, Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Navy the leadership attended the launch ceremony
• It’s a milerock for K-Defense in Latin America. We ensure the success of the project through cutting-edge technology and truSt

SEOUL, South Korea, Jan. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — At the beginning of 2025, the expansion of K-Defense to Latin America has entered a new phase.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (KS:) (HD HHI) held a launch ceremony for the Peru Warship Project on January 10 of SIMA, a shipyard run by the state of Peru.

The ceremony marked the start of construction for four ships: a frigate, an offshore patrol vessel, and an amphibious landing ship, which will serve as key strategic assets for the Peruvian Navy. The event included steel-cutting and keel-laying ceremonies, marking the official start of construction.

Peru in president In Boluarte, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén Olaya, Minister of Defence Walter AstudilloCommander of the Navy Luis Jose Polar Figariand other senior government officials attended the event, including Joo Won-hohead of of the Naval & Special Ships Business Unit of HD HHI.

These ships will be built locally at SIMA Shipyardleveraging HD HHI’s advanced design expertise and shipbuilding know-how. The first delivery is scheduled for 2026, with subsequent ships to follow.

The Peruvian Warship Project stemming from a defense export contract worth approx KRW 640.6 trillionprovided by HD HHI of April 2024. The project, which was achieved through collaboration between the Korean government and private enterprises under the “Team Korea” initiative, is seen as a model case of K-Defense’s global expansion.

“This marks a very important milestone in the history of Peru in shipbuilding industry,” said Peru in president In Boluarte. “We hope that this project with HD HHI will promote the modernization of Peruvian Navy and contribute to the economic growth of the country.”

“This ceremony marks the beginning of entry into K-Defense Latin America,” said Joo Won-hohead in the Naval & Special Ships Business Unit of HD HHI. “We are committed to driving this project to success through technological excellence and trust, strengthening defense cooperation between Korea and Peru.”

In a move to deepen bilateral defense collaboration, HD HHI, in partnership with University of Ulsanwill host 12 Peruvian SIMA shipyard engineers for a two-week Naval Architecture Training Program starting January 13th. The company also plans to improve local shipbuilding capabilities by expanding cooperation with equipment suppliers in Peru.

Looking ahead, HD HHI aims to establish a global network of defense hubs through its Pan-Pacific Belt Vision. This strategy includes the formation of partnerships, the establishment of local shipbuilding systems, and the standardization of technology transfer packages in key regions, including Peru, the Philippines, Saudi Arabiaand in the United States.