Denmark keeps South Korean shipbuilder out of frigate competition
Thursday 8th October 2026 on 07:30 in
Denmark
Denmark’s defence procurement agency is not including a South Korean shipbuilder’s offer in the options being prepared for politicians, despite the company’s claim that it could build frigates 20 to 30 per cent more cheaply than European rivals, DR reports.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), which describes itself as the world’s largest shipbuilder, says it has built more than 100 naval vessels and delivered every large ship on time over the past six years. It has offered to build new frigates for the Danish navy and help restart a military shipyard in Denmark.
The Danish Ministry of Defence’s Acquisition and Logistics Organisation, known as FMI, is collecting offers for the new warships. But a previous political agreement says the analytical basis for the purchase should focus on cooperation with NATO allies. South Korea is not a NATO member, though it is a partner country.
Retired Rear Admiral Torben Ørting Jørgensen, who chairs the defence and security association Folk & Forsvar, called the situation “completely foolish”. He said Denmark should not rule out a qualified candidate, adding that HHI’s offer could also influence negotiations with other suppliers.
HHI says the first frigate could be delivered to Copenhagen before 2030 if a contract is signed by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
Several Danish politicians have said they are open to discussing the South Korean offer. Conservative defence spokesperson Marcus Knuth said he supports the aim of building the ships with NATO allies but is open to considering other qualified suppliers so their prices, capabilities and delivery schedules can be compared.
Radikale Venstre defence spokesperson Stinus Lindgren said the agreement’s wording makes it difficult for South Korea to take part, but that the issue should be discussed again by the parties to the defence agreement. Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said FMI had met with HHI and gained an initial understanding of its offer. He said the agency had respected the political agreement and that he looked forward to discussing which potential suppliers should be considered.