HD Hyundai and SIMA Unveil HDS-MGP Submarine Design for the Peruvian Navy

South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Peru’s state shipyard SIMA have unveiled the HDS-MGP, a next-generation submarine design for the Peruvian Navy. According to Naval News’ July 22 report, the vision was presented at Peruvian Navy Headquarters in Lima on July 14. The 65-meter, roughly 1,500-ton design has completed its basic design phase, and the partners are now progressing toward a joint construction contract.

A partnership built step by step

The HDS-MGP (Hyundai Design Submarine – Marina de Guerra del Peru) grows out of cooperation that has deepened since 2024: a 640.6 billion won contract for joint production of four naval vessels in April 2024, a submarine development MoU in November 2024, and a Joint Development Agreement executed in December 2025. The company says the design incorporates decades of Peruvian submarine operating expertise, tailored to Latin American maritime conditions.

A regional submarine hub

At the center of HD Hyundai’s vision is an industrial ecosystem in which SIMA can independently build and maintain submarines. Longer term, the goal is to develop SIMA into a regional MRO hub and to market the HDS-MGP across Latin America. Peru is one of the region’s most accomplished submarine operators and has trained submariners from neighboring navies.

South Korea’s Latin America push

The project represents one of the South Korean defense industry’s most ambitious moves into Latin America, carrying HD Hyundai’s experience from markets such as Poland and the Philippines into South America. The aging of the region’s German-built Type 209 boats is set to create a significant replacement market over the next decade — one that other rising shipbuilding nations, including Turkiye, are also watching for export opportunities.

Sources
1. Naval News – “HD Hyundai and SIMA Unveil HDS-MGP Submarine Vision for Peruvian Navy” – July 22, 2026. Used for design specs, partnership history and vision details. Link: navalnews.com
2. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries statements – July 2026.