South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has entered a preliminary agreement with Peru’s state-owned Shipyard Marine Industrial Services (SIMA) to collaboratively develop and construct submarines for the Peruvian Navy, according to a report from Yonhap News Agency. This partnership signifies a notable advancement in defense technology collaboration within Latin America, as it marks the first joint submarine co-development project for a navy in the region.
The two firms aim to finalize a comprehensive contract by the year’s end, with plans for the submarines to be built at HD Hyundai Heavy’s shipyard in Ulsan, located approximately 360 kilometers (225 miles) southeast of Seoul. Luis Silva Lopez, the general manager of SIMA, expressed the initiative’s potential to enhance self-reliance in shipbuilding and defense technologies, not just in Peru but throughout Latin America.
This agreement follows an earlier collaboration established earlier this year, which focused on the co-development of a 1,500-ton submarine intended to replace Lima’s aging fleet. This new vessel is based on HD Hyundai’s HDS-1500 design and is expected to modernize the naval capabilities of Peru, which currently operates six German-built Type 209 submarines, along with two Type 209/1100 variants and four Type 209/1200 models. These diesel-electric submarines have been integral to the country’s undersea fleet for over four decades.
This development is part of a larger initiative driven by Peru to modernize its naval forces. The ongoing partnership with HD Hyundai not only includes submarine development but also encompasses the provision of various naval systems. These additional assets include frigates, offshore patrol ships, and landing support vessels, all contributing to a more capable and advanced Peruvian naval presence.
