en.Wedoany.com Reported - Hanwha Ocean is likely to become the preferred bidder for the detailed design and lead ship construction of South Korea's next-generation destroyer (KDDX), after rival HD Hyundai Heavy Industries suffered a security deduction.
According to industry sources on June 11, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has notified both companies of the proposal evaluation results, with a score gap of 0.5867 points. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries expressed disappointment at not winning despite leading in technical scores, and will request DAPA to provide detailed evaluation results and the basis for the decision.
The evaluation results position Hanwha Ocean as the leading candidate to win the first phase of the KDDX project, but this does not immediately finalize the selection of the preferred bidder. DAPA plans to confirm the preferred negotiation partner after completing subsequent procedures, including requests for clarification of the bidder's situation and possible objections. The agency aims to finalize detailed negotiations and sign a contract next month.
Industry observers noted that HD Hyundai Heavy Industries was subject to a 1.2-point security deduction until December this year due to a military secret leak case, which ultimately determined the competition outcome. Although the company received a higher technical score, the additional security deduction altered the ranking in favor of Hanwha Ocean.
The KDDX is South Korea's first Aegis-class destroyer project to be built entirely with domestic technology, from hull design to combat systems. This large-scale defense project plans to build six 6,000-ton destroyers. Similar to the KF-21 fighter jet development program, the KDDX is seen as a key initiative for South Korea to achieve independent advanced weapons systems. The entire project is divided into the first generation (ships 1-3) and the second generation (ships 4-6), with the current bid covering the detailed design and lead ship construction of the first phase.
The winning bidder will have significant influence over the selection of components and equipment, and is expected to gain an advantage as the project's main contractor in future overseas naval export projects.
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