South Korea has embarked on an ambitious project that marks a major transformation of its naval strategy. The focus is on the construction of a new multi—purpose command ship designed to coordinate fleets of air, surface and underwater unmanned systems. This step indicates the emergence of a new model of naval power in the Asia-Pacific region.
In May 2025, the program was presented to the Defense Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, which became an important stage in the official promotion of the project. The goal is to equip the South Korean Navy with a fundamentally new type of vessel capable of not only controlling a group of drones, but also performing a wide range of tasks: from coordinating precision strikes and supporting amphibious operations to ensuring the safety of maritime communications and eliminating the consequences of natural disasters.
The main contractor is HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)— one of the leading shipbuilding concerns of the country. The company is currently working on the conceptual design of the ship, and it is expected that the first details of the project will be presented soon to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
This project highlights South Korea's commitment to adapt to the rapidly changing technological environment of modern maritime operations, where autonomy, modularity, and integration of unmanned systems play a key role.
.jpg)
