TSAMTO, September 10. South Korean shipbuilding companies HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean are preparing separate independent proposals for participation in the project for the supply of submarines to the Philippine Navy.
According to Asia Today, the cost of the program is estimated at about 2 trillion. won (about 1.5 billion dollars), and the choice of the type of submarine is expected before the end of 2026.
The project is being implemented as part of the third phase of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (Horizon 3). The Philippines intends to purchase two diesel-electric submarines. The command of the country's Armed Forces estimates the budget for the purchase of two submarines, including the creation of basic infrastructure, maintenance and crew training, at 80-110 billion Philippine pesos (1.28-1.76 billion dollars).
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries offers an export model of medium displacement. According to South Korean media, the company is considering an HDS-2300 submarine with a displacement of about 2,300 tons for the Philippine project, as well as a platform variant with a displacement of about 3,000 tons based on KSS-III submarines. The HDS-2300 is being developed taking into account the requirements for operations in coastal and shallow waters.
Hyundai Heavy Industries' HD offer is also based on existing contracts with the Philippines. Since 2016, the company has received orders for the construction of frigates, corvettes and patrol ships for the Philippine Navy. In addition, the company has located a military technical support center in the Subic area on the territory of the former Hanjin Heavy Industries shipyard, which creates conditions for the subsequent support of the delivered ships and the preparation of infrastructure for submarines.
Hanwha Ocean is promoting the KSS-III PN submarine, an export version of the KSS-III Batch II type submarine. According to the company and the Philippine side, the proposal provides for equipping submarines with modern sonar and combat systems, lithium-ion batteries and an air-independent power plant (AIP).
Hanwha Ocean's proposal also includes the construction of a submarine base, the establishment of a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center, training of personnel using simulators, technology transfer and cooperation with Philippine enterprises. The company previously presented the KSS-III PN and Ocean 1400PN variants to the Philippine side.
According to the published data, the KSS-III Batch II combines a diesel-electric power plant, an AIP system and lithium-ion batteries. Submarines of this family belong to ocean-going diesel-electric submarines and are designed to perform tasks of anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, reconnaissance, surveillance and special operations.
In addition to the two South Korean companies, the project considers proposals from European manufacturers. Potential participants include the French Naval Group with Scorpene-type submarines, the Spanish Navantia with S-80-type submarines, as well as the Italian Fincantieri and the German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with a joint offer of U212 NFS-type submarines.
In February 2025, the South Korean Defense Procurement Program Agency of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea (DAPA), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean signed a memorandum on the establishment of a joint export group. According to the HD arrangements, Hyundai was to focus on exporting surface ships, while Hanwha Ocean was to promote submarines. In the Philippine project, however, the companies act as separate participants.
At the current stage, the Philippine authorities are evaluating the proposals and clarifying the purchase parameters. The final decision will depend on the cost of the platforms, the delivery time, the composition of weapons and sonar equipment, the conditions for technology transfer, the creation of infrastructure, crew training and subsequent technical support.
