HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea and Peru’s state-owned shipbuilder SIMA have signed a preliminary cooperation agreement to co-develop and manufacture submarines for the Peruvian Navy, strengthening defense-industrial ties between the two nations. The companies aim to finalize a full contract by late 2025, with construction expected to take place at HHI’s Ulsan shipyard in South Korea.
The deal builds upon an earlier collaboration between HHI and SIMA to jointly develop a 1,500-ton diesel-electric submarine, based on Hyundai’s HDS-1500 design, intended to replace Peru’s aging Type 209 fleet. The future submarines are expected to feature enhanced stealth technology, modern sensors, and improved underwater endurance, offering a major boost to Peru’s maritime defense capabilities.
Peru’s current submarine fleet consists of six German-built Type 209-class boats, which have served as the core of its naval deterrence force for over 40 years. With the new partnership, Peru is taking a major step toward revitalizing its undersea fleet through technology transfer and joint production, reflecting its ambition to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capacity.
In addition to submarines, the HD Hyundai–SIMA partnership extends to frigates, offshore patrol vessels, and landing ships, forming part of a comprehensive naval modernization program. The agreement signals Peru’s commitment to long-term maritime security and South Korea’s growing footprint in Latin America’s defense cooperation landscape.
