Korea’s Hanwha Ocean is developing a next-generation surface warship featuring artificial intelligence, advanced automation, and stealth design, marking a major step for the country’s naval defence industry.

The vessel features a wave-piercing hull designed to cut through rough seas, paired with a tumblehome structure that enhances stealth by reducing its radar signature, allowing it to remain undetected.

The hull houses layered weapon systems deployed in stages capable of responding to a wide range of threats, from ballistic missiles to suicide drones.

While the ship retains the size of its predecessors, its most notable evolution lies in AI-driven automation, built to streamline operations for a 70-person crew.

“With the changing global security environment and the intensifying competition for maritime supremacy surrounding our country, we need a new platform as an alternative to address these challenges,” Hanwha Ocean President Eo Sung-chul said.

The ship will be made of “giga-class” steel, offering greater impact resistance while reducing overall weight. Inside, a smart bridge speeds up decision-making and enhances situational awareness, while its ergonomic layout improves comfort for the crew during extended missions.

Hanwha is South Korea’s seventh-largest business group, with innovative businesses in the areas of aerospace & mechatronics, energy & ocean solutions, finance, and retail & services. Ranked in the Fortune Global 500®, Hanwha is a multinational company with a robust global network of affiliates, which allows it to leverage synergy to deliver transformative solutions and impactful innovations that catalyze sustainable growth across industries and communities. In 2024, Hanwha was the only Korean company named to the TIME 100 Most Influential Companies list.