HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has announced the start of construction on the third and final next-generation Aegis destroyer, part of South Korea’s Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system. The groundbreaking ceremony for this vessel was held at the Ulsan headquarters, attended by officials from DAPA, DTaQ, and the Defense Rapid Acquisition Technology Research Institute. The last destroyer is scheduled for delivery to the Republic of Korea Navy by late 2027. This new destroyer class will have notable upgrades over the Sejong the Great-class, such as improved ballistic missile interception and enhanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, making them vital to South Korea’s naval defense.
