Hanwha Philly Shipyard Awarded $2 Billion Contract for U.S. Missile-Tracking Vessels

Hanwha Philly Shipyard, in partnership with TOTE Services, has been awarded a $2 billion contract by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to build two new Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs). Announced by White House OMB Director Russ Vought during the christening of the training ship 'Lone Star State' in Philadelphia, the new vessels will replace the aging Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector. The first vessel, named 'Golden Defender,' is scheduled for delivery in June 2030 and will support the Trump administration's 'Golden Dome' national missile defense initiative. The project utilizes a commercially managed Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model, which partners claim reduces acquisition costs by 50% compared to traditional government procurement.

// Background

Philly Shipyard, historically the birthplace of the U.S. Navy, ceased commercial orders in 2019 after closing naval operations in 1996. It was acquired by South Korea's Hanwha Group in 2024, which announced $5 billion in future shipbuilding investments. The yard's revitalization has been supported by bipartisan legislative efforts, including the SHIPS for America Act. Additionally, the U.S. and South Korea recently agreed to direct $150 billion of a $350 billion Korean investment commitment toward maritime and shipbuilding cooperation, marked by the opening of a bilateral Shipbuilding Cooperation Center in Washington.

// Key Developments

• Hanwha Philly Shipyard and TOTE Services selected to build two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs) for $2 billion.
• The first vessel, 'Golden Defender,' is slated for delivery in June 2030 to support the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system.
• The new ships will replace the Pacific Tracker (built 1965) and Pacific Collector (built 1970) to monitor Pacific ballistic missile tests.
• The announcement was made during the christening of the 'Lone Star State,' the fourth of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) built at the yard.
• The project employs a Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) model, which partners claim reduces acquisition costs by at least 50%.
• The contract highlights growing U.S.-South Korea shipbuilding cooperation, backed by a $150 billion investment commitment.