Everything is being prepared for the signing of the LOI (Letter of Intent) between SIMA Perú and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the co-development of the technical dossier that will serve as the basis for the future acquisition of submarine units for the Navy of the South American country.
This marks a second major step in the ongoing negotiations. As recalled, during the 10th International Exhibition of Technology for Defense and Natural Disaster Prevention (SITDEF 2025) held last May, the Industrial Service of the Navy (SIMA Perú) and the South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the joint development of a new submarine.
The project involves the first of two 1,500-ton units based on the HDS-1500 model, intended for the Submarine Force of the Peruvian Navy (MGP). This new class is expected to begin the replacement of the current Type U-209/1100 and 1200 submarines, the latter currently undergoing modernization.
The signing ceremony will take place on November 1 at the South Korean port city of Ulsan, home to HHI’s Gunsan shipyard, where a wide variety of vessels of different types and displacements —including warships— are built.
Once the project begins, leading engineers from the Peruvian Navy and SIMA Perú will work jointly at Hyundai’s shipyard in Ulsan to complete the basic and detailed design of the new submarine, optimized according to the end user’s operational requirements.
The signing of this Letter of Intent for the joint development of submarines continues the ongoing cooperation between both nations and is considered the first comprehensive joint submarine development project undertaken by a South American navy.
High-ranking Peruvian officials are expected to attend the ceremony, including the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru, Ms. Teresa Stella Mera Gómez; the Commander General of the Peruvian Navy, Admiral Javier Bravo De Rueda Delgado; and the Peruvian Ambassador to Korea, Dr. Paul Fernando Duclos Parodi.
Representing the South Korean government will be the Director General for Military Capability of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), along with other local authorities and representatives from SIMA Perú, HD HHI Co. Ltd., and POSCO International (Pohang Iron and Steel Company), one of the world’s four leading steel producers and a major supplier to South Korean shipyards.
Cover image used for illustrative purposes.
*Original text in spanish: Lewis Mejia.
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