La compañía coreana HANWHA Group ha expresado su intención de fabricar submarinos nucleares para la US NAVY. Esta empresa adquirió en 2024 un importante astillero en Filadelfia (EEUU) y afirmó estar en capacidad de producir los submarinos nucleares de 10.200 tn “Virginia” Class, de los cuales la US Navy tiene solo 24 en servicio activo. Este ofrecimiento de Hanwha se produce en momentos en que la industria naval estadounidense está bajo gran presión, para incrementar sensiblemente su capacidad de producción con el objetivo de expandir la flota de estos modernos submarinos. Asimismo, la empresa ha expresado que planea realizar inversiones por US$ 5.000 millones para alcanzar los objetivos productivos requeridos, lo cual ha sido visto muy favorablemente por las autoridades de EEUU ya que contribuye a afianzar la alianza estratégica entre ambos países, además de fortalecer la infraestructura naval de la Base Industrial de Defensa del país.
A Seoul-based company has expressed its intention to build nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy. Hanwha Group claims that its Philadelphia plant could support construction of advanced submarines, such as the Virginia-class, if the U.S. government approves and formalizes the plan.
The announcement from the South Korean defense giant came at a time when the U.S. Navy faces growing pressure to expand its submarine fleet and overcome long-standing production delays at existing shipyards.
Ready to fulfil the ability to build nuclear submarines
Hanwha acquired the Philadelphia shipyard roughly a year ago and has since been investing in modernizing its facilities, improving efficiency, and strengthening its workforce. The company is presenting the yard as part of the solution to the U.S. Navy’s submarine production bottleneck, arguing that additional shipbuilding capacity is essential as demand continues to exceed what current U.S. yards can deliver on schedule.
“The U.S. government’s commitment to nuclear-powered submarine capability, its own, and of the allies is very strong,” said Alex Wong, global chief strategy officer at Hanwha Group during the Hanwha’s media day at the shipyard in Philadelphia on Monday. “We stand ready to fulfil the ability to build those submarines here in Philly when the governments are ready.”
Nuclear-powered submarines are among the most complex military platforms
The proposal is significant because nuclear-powered submarines are among the most complex military platforms to build. Constructing them requires strict safety, security, and regulatory approvals, along with highly specialized infrastructure and skilled labor. Historically, only a small number of U.S. shipyards have been certified to perform this work, meaning Hanwha’s plan would represent an expansion of the U.S. naval industrial base rather than a replacement of existing builders.
The Virginia class has several innovations that significantly enhance its warfighting capabilities, including in littoral — or coastal — operations. The class has special features to support SOF, including a reconfigurable torpedo room which can accommodate a large number of SOF personnel and all their equipment for prolonged deployments, as well as future off-board payloads. Its submerged displacement is around 10,200 tons.
More broadly, the move reflects deepening defense-industrial cooperation between the United States and South Korea. It aligns with U.S. efforts to strengthen shipbuilding capacity through allied investment while also offering potential economic benefits for Philadelphia. Although major hurdles remain before any nuclear submarine construction could begin, Hanwha’s proposal highlights how international partnerships may play a growing role in supporting U.S. naval readiness in the years ahead.
The announcement from Wong came as recently President Donald Trump told a press conference that Hanwha would participate in building frigates for the US Navy. He called Hanwha “a good company”, referring to its planned US$5 billion expansion in the Philly Shipyard, which it bought in 2024 for US$100 million.
With only 24 Virginia-class submarines commissioned to date, the United States needs to build at least two nuclear-powered submarines every year to reach the goal. However, the nation has produced an average of just 1.2 annually.
