수상전투함 한화오션, KDDX 건조사로 선정

[위종민]

참 말많았던 KDDX 건조사로 한화오션이 선택됐네요. 현대조선 특수선사업부는 요즘 사정 어렵다는 말이 많던데... 

한화오션, KDDX 구축함 건조 계약 확보한 것으로 알려져

Chen Chuanren

2026년 6월 18일

이 컴퓨터 생성 이미지는 대한민국 해군을 위해 계획된 KDDX 구축함의 개념 설계를 보여준다. (DAPA)

한화오션은 대한민국 해군(ROKN)의 KDDX 차세대 구축함 사업을 위한 우선협상대상 조선사로 한국 방위사업청(DAPA)에 의해 선정된 것으로 알려졌다.

업계 소식통을 인용해 The Korea Herald와 The Korea Times를 포함한 현지 언론들은 방위사업청이 한화오션과 HD현대중공업(HHI)이 제출한 제안서 평가를 완료했다고 보도했다. 방위사업청은 6월 중순 두 회사에 결과를 통보한 것으로 알려졌다.

이 보도들에 따르면 한화오션은 HHI를 0.5867점 차이로 앞섰다.

실제로 HHI는 KDDX 사업과 관련된 보안 위반으로 1.2점의 감점을 받은 상태였다. HHI 직원 여러 명은 2022년부터 2023년 사이 이 사업과 관련된 개념 설계 문서를 불법으로 입수하고 유출한 혐의로 유죄판결을 받았다.

이 결과는 감점이 없었다면 HHI가 우선협상대상자로 선정됐을 것임을 시사한다. 그러나 법적 문제가 정리되고 새 정부가 KDDX 사업을 추진할 수 있다고 판단하기까지 이 사업은 장기간 표류해 왔다.

약 7조8천억 원, 미화 51억 달러 규모로 평가되는 KDDX 사업은 6,000톤급 구축함 6척의 건조를 포함하며, 모든 함정은 2030년까지 인도될 것으로 예상된다.

KDDX는 상당 부분 국산화된 구축함 전력을 확보하려는 한국의 노력을 보여준다. 이미 운용 중인 기존 이지스 탑재 구축함들과 달리, 신형 함급은 능동전자주사식 배열 레이더, 통합 전투관리체계, 국산 함대공 미사일 요격체계를 포함한 국내 개발 전투체계를 탑재할 예정이다.

이 사업은 독자적인 해군 역량을 강화하고 주요 수상전투함 분야에서 외국 기술 의존도를 줄이려는 서울의 노력에서 핵심적인 이정표로 평가된다.

대한민국 해군은 현재 세종대왕급 이지스 구축함 4척을 운용하고 있으며, 이 가운데 3척은 HHI가 건조했다. 이들에는 Batch I 구축함 3척과 Batch II 구축함 1척이 포함된다. Batch II 사업의 일환으로 추가 함정 2척이 건조 중이다.

이번 KDDX 수주는 국내외 주요 해군 함정 건조 계약을 둘러싸고 한화오션과 HHI 사이의 경쟁이 점점 치열해지는 가운데 또 하나의 중요한 전개를 의미한다.

한화오션은 최근 몇 년 동안 보조함정과 수상전투함 계약을 확보하며 국내 및 수출 해군 시장에서 입지를 꾸준히 확대해 왔다. 또한 캐나다의 잠수함 획득 사업과 같은 세계 주요 잠수함 도입 사업도 겨냥하고 있다.

Chen Chuanren

Hanwha Ocean reportedly secures KDDX destroyer construction contract - Asian Military Review

Hanwha Ocean reportedly secures KDDX destroyer construction contract - Asian Military Review

Hanwha Ocean reportedly secures KDDX destroyer construction contract

By

 Chen Chuanren

 -

June 18, 2026

This computer-generated image shows a conceptual design of the KDDX destroyer that is destined for the ROK Navy. (DAPA)

Hanwha Ocean has allegedly been selected by South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as the preferred shipbuilder for the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) KDDX next-generation destroyer programme.

Citing industry sources, local media outlets including The Korea Herald and The Korea Times reported that DAPA has completed its eval‎uation of proposals submitted by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). It reportedly informed both companies of the outcome in mid-June.

According to these reports, Hanwha Ocean outscored HHI by 0.5867 points.

In fact, HHI had been given a 1.2-point penalty relating to a security breach involving the KDDX programme. Several HHI employees were convicted between 2022 and 2023 for illegally obtaining and leaking conceptual design documents associated with this project.

The result suggests that, absent the penalty, HHI would have emerged as the preferred bidder. However, the programme had lain in limbo while the legalities were sorted out and a new government felt able to proceed with the KDDX project.

Valued at approximately KRW7.8 trillion (US$5.1 billion), the KDDX programme covers the construction of six 6,000-tonne destroyers, with all vessels expected to be delivered by 2030.

The KDDX represents South Korea’s effort to field a largely indigenous destroyer fleet. Unlike existing Aegis-equipped destroyers already in service, the new class will incorporate domestically developed combat systems, including active electronically scanned array radars, integrated combat management systems and indigenous surface-to-air missile interceptors.

The programme is viewed as a key milestone in Seoul’s drive to strengthen sovereign naval capabilities, and also to reduce dependence on foreign technologies for major surface combatants.

The ROKN currently operates four Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (three of which were built by HHI). These include three Batch I and one Batch II destroyers. Two additional vessels are under construction as part of the Batch II effort.

This KDDX award marks another significant development in the increasingly competitive rivalry between Hanwha Ocean and HHI for major naval shipbuilding contracts at home and abroad.

Hanwha Ocean has been steadily expanding its presence in both domestic and export naval markets, securing contracts for auxiliary vessels and surface combatants in recent years. It is also targeting significant submarine acquisition programmes worldwide, such as Canada’s.

by Chen Chuanren

[백선호]

요 배는 싸구려의 saturation attack 대응도 고려했겠죠?

[위종민]

설계는 몇 년 전에 끝났고, 건조사 선정 때문에 공전된거라 충분히 고려됐을지 모르겠네요.

[여행자김씨]

우리해군은 KCGX는 계획에 없을까요?

[백선호]

뭐 하나 맞으면 바로 전투력을 잃는다면 큰 배 만들어도 무서워서 항구에서 나오지 못하는 신세가 되지 않을까 싶습니다.

[여행자김씨]

에이 그래도 실제적 순양함인 세종대왕함이랑 정조대왕급은 건조되어서 배치 중이잖아요 ㅎㅎㅎ 심지어 세종대왕급은 거짐 10몇 년 되었군요.

이런 기술력을 발전시켜서 인원이 없다고 KDDX도 6000ton급으로 건조하는 것처럼 세종대왕급을 교체하기 위한 KCGX도 건조하는 것도 나쁘지 않다고 봅니다.