South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has unveiled its submarine designs and bid for the Hellenic Navy’s multibillion-euro naval modernization program.
HHI presented its experience in sub-sea vessel development, highlighting its role in building six of Seoul’s nine Sohn Won-yil-class or KSS-II submarines under the East Asian nation’s broader Korean Attack Submarine Program, according to Defence Industry Europe.
The company has also been contracted to revamp the first three vessels of that class, built between 2007 and 2009, under a deal worth about $360 million.
Hyundai further cited its involvement in the newer KSS-III program, having delivered the final Batch I submarine, the ROKS Shin Chae-ho.
Sources familiar with the visit said the company also presented other naval designs, signaling interest in broader cooperation beyond submarines.
‘Achilles’ Shield’ Effort
The meeting is part of Greece’s “Aspida tou Achillea” or Achilles’ Shield program to renew its fleet and strengthen local shipbuilding.
The 12-year initiative, launched in July, is valued at around 28 billion euros ($32.5 billion), with about 10 percent of funding to be allocated to the naval force.
It aims to replace older submarines and modernize the NATO country’s maritime capabilities with new technology and locally built ships.
Plans include acquiring four new submarines and upgrading four Papanikolis-class (Type 214HN) vessels, which have been in service since 2010.
The new vessels will replace the Glavkos-class (Type 209/1100) and Poseidon-class (Type 209/1200) submarines, some of which have been operating since the 1970s.
A key requirement of the program is that construction should take place in Greek shipyards, with at least a quarter of the work carried out by domestic companies.
Global Competition
Currently, Hyundai is one of several contenders seeking to secure the contract from the Hellenic Ministry of Defence.
Hanwha Ocean, another South Korean shipbuilder, visited Athens earlier in October with the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class or KSS-III submarine model, while Sweden’s Saab Kockums presented an A26-based (Blekinge-class) offer two days before Hyundai’s meeting.
Meanwhile, German and French firms are also in the running, proposing their homegrown Type 209NG and Scorpène Evolved submarine models, respectively.
The Hellenic Navy is expected to review all proposals in the coming months, marking progress under Greece’s most significant naval upgrade efforts in decades.
