Naval vessels are seen at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pa., on this undated photograph. Courtesy of Hanwha Group
Hanwha Group has expressed its intent to construct nuclear-powered submarines for the U.S. Navy at its shipyard in Philadelphia, calling the ability the best location to speed up the continued development of Virginia-class submarines.
Throughout a press convention Monday (native time) at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, the Korean conglomerate stated workforce reinforcement, productiveness enchancment, facility funding and expertise switch are underway to organize for U.S. Navy submarine development.
The press convention got here simply hours earlier than U.S. President Donald Trump talked about Hanwha as the corporate that will work with the U.S. Navy to construct new frigates. He described Hanwha as “a very good firm,” referring to its deliberate $5 billion growth on the shipyard, which it purchased for $100 million a 12 months in the past.
“The U.S. authorities’s dedication to nuclear-powered submarine functionality, its personal and of the allies could be very robust,” Hanwha Group Chief Technique Officer Alex Wong, a former U.S. deputy nationwide safety adviser, stated on the press convention.
“We stand prepared to meet the flexibility to construct these submarines right here in Philly when the governments are prepared.”
Hanwha Group Chief Technique Officer Alex Wong speaks throughout a press convention at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pa., Monday (native time). Yonhap
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, president of U.S. shipbuilding at Hanwha Protection USA, informed reporters that the shipyard might assist Washington obtain its aim of constructing a fleet of 66 Virginia-class nuclear-powered assault submarines by 2054.
With solely 24 Virginia-class submarines commissioned so far, america must construct at the very least two nuclear-powered submarines yearly to succeed in the aim. Nevertheless, the nation has produced an common of simply 1.2 yearly.
Highlighting Hanwha Philly Shipyard’s proximity to different U.S. shipyards constructing Virginia-class submarines, the Korean agency expressed confidence in its potential to ship the already-designed submarines on schedule.
Anderson additionally emphasised the corporate’s plan to leverage the provision chain of Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.
If Hanwha Philly Shipyard receives orders to construct U.S. nuclear-powered submarines, Korean consultants concerned within the mission are additionally anticipated to contribute to the development of nuclear-powered submarines for the Republic of Korea Navy, which gained U.S. approval following a summit between the 2 nations’ leaders in October.
“If development of U.S. nuclear-powered submarines begins at Philly Shipyard, it is going to enable Korean subcontractors to hitch the worldwide provide chain and increase the regional financial system,” Cho Jong-woo, head of shipyard operations at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, stated.
In keeping with Hanwha, the shipyard is contemplating extra funding utilizing a part of the $150 billion that Korea plans to spend on the “Make America Shipbuilding Nice Once more” mission, which the 2 nations agreed to pursue to revive U.S. shipbuilding with Korean funding.
The conglomerate additionally stated that the variety of instantly employed workers on the shipyard has elevated 30 p.c from the earlier 12 months.
