Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<p>BUSAN, South Korea — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanhwa Ocean on Saturday to discuss the firm’s plan to build submarines to help develop Philippine defense capabilities.</p><p>Hanhwa Ocean earlier bared its “proposal to support the Philippine Navy’s submarine program through the construction of a submarine base, the establishment of a local maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center, and the training of Filipino naval operators, maintainers, and commanders using advanced simulators and systems,” according to a statement from Malacañang.</p><p>“Executives of the Hanwha Ocean informed the President of their plans for the deployment of KSS-III PN submarines equipped with modern sonar and combat systems and lithium-ion batteries for longer underwater endurance,” the statement read. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/11/1/marcos-jr-urges-apec-leaders-address-gaps-in-energy-digital-infrastructure-investment-1232"><strong>Marcos Jr. urges APEC leaders: Address gaps in energy, digital infrastructure investment</strong></a></div><p>Marcos Jr. and Hanhwa executives also tackled possible schemes for “technology transfer and partnerships with local industries to advance the Philippines’ self-reliant defense capability,” it read.</p><p>Hanhwa’s possible expansion to the Philippines comes days after US President Donald Trump approved South Korea’s pitch to build nuclear-powered submarines at the Philadelphia shipyard, now being operated by the Hanhwa group. </p><p>Aside from South Korea, the Philippines has also been in talks with France and Australia over the development of the Southeast Asian country’s Navy fleet, which until now still lacks submarine units.</p><p>The Marcos Jr. administration has been pushing to boost the capacity of its military and coast guard assets as it pushes back against illegal Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/11/1/marcos-apec-leaders-tackle-south-korea-s-proposed-asia-pacific-ai-center-1216"><strong>‘AI for all’: Marcos, APEC leaders tackle South Korea’s proposed ‘Asia-Pacific AI Center’</strong></a></div><div> </div>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanhwa Ocean on Saturday to discuss the firm’s plan to build submarines to help develop Philippine defense capabilities.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanhwa Ocean on Saturday to discuss the firm’s plan to build submarines to help develop Philippine defense capabilities.

Marcos Jr., Hanhwa officials discuss shipbuilder's support for PH Navy submarine program

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Marcos Jr., Hanhwa officials discuss shipbuilder's support for PH Navy submarine program

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 01, 2025 05:09 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 01, 2025 05:19 PM PHT

Read More:

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Hanhwa

South Korea

Philippine Navy

submarine

defense

security

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