South Korea awards Hanwha Ocean KDDX lead-ship contract, targeting 2032 delivery of its first domestically built Aegis destroyer

South Korea has awarded Hanwha Ocean the prime contract for the detailed design and construction of the KDDX lead destroyer, moving the program into the full build phase after years of delays. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration says the ship is scheduled for delivery to the navy by the end of 2032. The KDDX is intended to be the first large destroyer built around predominantly domestically developed systems, including core sensors and an integrated combat management setup, with follow-on ships planned under the wider program.