US Navy Chief Visits HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to Highlight World-Class Shipbuilding
U.S. Navy Chief Visits HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Highlights Top-Tier Shipbuilding Capabilities
On November 15, 2025, Admiral Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations for the United States, visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) at its Ulsan shipyard in South Korea. The visit underscored the company’s world-class capacity in naval shipbuilding—and strengthened ties under the Korea–U.S. cooperation initiative, MASGA (Make America Shipbuilding Great Again).
High-Level Meeting and Strategic Talks
During the visit, Admiral Caudle met with Chairman Chung Kisun of HD Hyundai. They discussed deepening collaboration to support U.S. Navy readiness through a strategic shipbuilding partnership.
Chairman Chung and Admiral Caudle toured HHI’s facilities, including commercial shipyards and the dedicated Naval & Special Ship Division—where some of the world’s most sophisticated Aegis-class destroyers are built.
Inspecting the Aegis Destroyer
A highlight of the visit was Admiral Caudle’s tour aboard the ROKS Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, the second Aegis destroyer built by HHI. He received a briefing on the ship’s advanced combat systems, operational features, and interior design.
He also viewed construction on the third Aegis destroyer, scheduled for launch in the coming year, and inspected various naval production lines.
Integrating Capabilities for Broader Impact
HD Hyundai continues to integrate its naval, commercial, and mid-sized shipbuilding operations. Its ongoing merger with HD Hyundai Mipo is expected to boost synergy across its business units, enhancing efficiency and export potential.
This alignment positions the company to take on larger defense projects globally—including in the United States.
Growing Demand, Deeper Cooperation
As navies worldwide modernize, demand for next-generation destroyers and frigates is growing rapidly. HHI is responding by scaling its export operations, drawing on a strong track record.
In particular, HHI already has experience supplying ships to other nations, such as the Philippine Navy and the Peruvian Navy.
Admiral Caudle’s visit signals a likely expansion of technical cooperation and supply chain integration between HHI and the U.S. Navy.
A Mutual Commitment
Chairman Chung expressed firm support for MASGA and emphasized HHI’s commitment to strengthen U.S. shipbuilding capacity. “As blood allies and close friends, we will work together to ensure the success of the MASGA … shipbuilding cooperation project,” he said.
From the U.S. side, the visit builds on recent high-level engagement: earlier in the year, Secretary of the U.S. Navy John Phelan toured HHI’s shipyards and reviewed the first next-gen Aegis destroyer, ROKS Jeongjo the Great
