At the 2025 Marine Defense Exhibition (MADEX) in Singapore, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced a partnership with the Portuguese Navy aimed at developing a new class of compact, high-tech submarines. The agreement outlines a collaborative effort that may extend beyond submarine design into maintenance and overhaul capabilities, according to South Korea’s Chosun newspaper. Portugal is currently looking to upgrade its underwater fleet, which presently includes two Tridente-class submarines introduced in 2010. Weighing 2,000 tons each, these submarines have served as the backbone of the Portuguese Navy’s undersea operations. Defense analysts and former Navy Chief Admiral Gouveia e Melo have noted the importance of expanding the fleet with potentially smaller, more versatile vessels. Admiral Jorge Nobre de Sousa has reaffirmed that the navy is committed to future readiness, and partnerships like this offer both innovation and affordability. The collaboration with Hyundai could lead to the introduction of cutting-edge technologies and new submarine configurations suited for 21st-century maritime challenges.
