COPENHAGEN — April 29, 2026 : South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has submitted a formal bid to supply a new class of frigates to the Royal Danish Navy, positioning itself as a competitive alternative to established European defense contractors. The proposal emphasizes reduced procurement costs and accelerated delivery timelines as Denmark advances its naval modernization programme.
According to information reported by DR, the company has indicated it can lower overall programme costs by approximately 20 to 30 percent compared to rival European bids. HHI has also committed to delivering the lead vessel within 3.5 years of contract signature. If an agreement is concluded within 2026, all four frigates could be delivered and operational by 2031.
Programme Context and Industrial Background
The Danish frigate acquisition is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Defence to strengthen maritime capabilities under existing defence agreements. The programme seeks to replace and expand current naval assets with modern, multi-mission surface combatants capable of long-endurance operations.
HHI enters the competition with prior experience in Denmark’s commercial maritime sector. The company previously constructed 19 vessels for the Danish shipping and logistics group A.P. Møller–Mærsk, a record it is using to demonstrate industrial reliability and delivery capacity in support of its defense bid.
Competing European Proposals
The procurement process has attracted bids from shipbuilders in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Among the prominent contenders is Babcock International, which is offering its Arrowhead 140 frigate design. The platform serves as the baseline for the United Kingdom’s Type 31 frigate programme.
The competition has also drawn direct political attention. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that discussions are ongoing at the government level regarding the British proposal, reflecting the strategic and industrial importance of the Danish contract.
Technical Characteristics of HHI Proposal
HHI’s offer is centered on its HDF-6000 class frigate, a multi-role warship designed for sustained operations across a range of mission profiles. The vessel is expected to have a displacement of approximately 6,500 tonnes, with a length of 139 metres and a beam of 18.6 metres. The design is intended to support air defence, anti-surface warfare, and maritime security operations within NATO frameworks.
Nordic Defence Alignment and Armament Changes
Alongside the selection of a hull platform, Denmark is planning adjustments to the weapons configuration of its future fleet. The Ministry of Defence intends to replace existing Italian-manufactured naval guns with Swedish-made systems produced by BAE Systems Bofors.
Currently, the Royal Danish Navy operates 76 mm OTO Melara guns across several vessel classes, including the three Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates—HDMS Iver Huitfeldt (F361), HDMS Peter Willemoes (F362), and HDMS Niels Juel (F363)—as well as four Thetis-class ocean patrol vessels and three Knud Rasmussen-class patrol ships. The planned transition to Bofors systems reflects a broader effort to align equipment standards with Sweden and enhance interoperability within Nordic defence cooperation frameworks following Sweden’s integration into NATO.
Ongoing Evaluation
Negotiations between Danish authorities and international bidders remain underway. The final selection will determine not only the design and construction of the four frigates but also the associated industrial partnerships and long-term support arrangements. The outcome is expected to play a significant role in shaping Denmark’s naval capabilities and regional defence cooperation in the coming decade.
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