WASHINGTON, DC (April 9, 2024) -- GE Aerospace and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to explore opportunities to collaborate on marine propulsion systems in support of future International Navy Projects. 

Photo From L to R: Dr. Won ho Joo, Chief Executive, Naval and Special Ship Business Unit, HD HHI and Rita Flaherty, VP of Global Sales and Business Development, GE Aerospace.

The signing ceremony took place at GE Aerospace’s booth at Sea Air Space, a global maritime exposition near Washington, DC and was attended by Dr. Won ho Joo, Chief Executive, Naval and Special Ship Business Unit, Mr. Sang bong Lee, Senior Vice President, Head of Engineering, Mr. Woo maan Jeong, Senior Vice President, Head of Planning, and Mr. Glen Kim, Director, Naval affairs and Strategy Development from HD HHI, and Rita Flaherty, VP of Global Sales and Business Development, and Kris Shepherd, General Manager, Electric Power and former General Manager, Mobility Engines and Marine from GE Aerospace.

As the world’s largest shipbuilding company, HD HHI has 50 years of history working in South Korea with the Republic of Korea Navy and industry to provide world-class ships and engineering. GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of marine gas turbines for naval ship propulsion. Under the MOU, the two companies will explore a joint collaboration in:

• Optimizing propulsion systems with the LM2500 family of gas turbines. 
• Collaborating for gas turbine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities for HD HHI vessels powered by GE Aerospace marine gas turbines. 

“By combining our expertise in reliable and proven engine technology with HD HHI’s shipbuilding prowess, we are poised to deliver best-in-class vessels that are powerful and efficient,” said Rita Flaherty, VP of Global Sales and Business Development, GE Aerospace Defense & Systems, as she signed the MOU. “This joint collaboration will expand our worldwide presence and make a strong case for HD HHI and GE Aerospace to build and power the newest vessel for the Royal Australian Navy frigate project.”

GE Aerospace’s LM2500+G4 Marine Gas Turbine

GE Aerospace’s six gas turbines have a proven track record with 39 navies worldwide and offer a wide range of power to match mission profiles, ranging from 4.5 to 52.7 MW for either single or dual turbine configurations. This global fleet of aeroderivative gas turbines sets the benchmark for reliability thanks to over 16 million operating hours logged in the marine environment.

“The concrete partnership between HD HHI and GE started from the ROK Navy’s Ulsan-class frigate back in 1970s. Throughout the decades, both companies worked together on the propulsion system for the ROK Navy as the most reliable partner. Having this MOU between the two companies will be a new pillar to expand our strong cooperation for the export programs beyond ROK Navy’s programs,” concluded Dr. Won ho Joo, Chief Executive, Naval and Special Ship Business Unit.

About GE Aerospace Marine Engines & Systems

The Marine Engines & Systems business is part of GE Aerospace and offers marine propulsion systems for navies that need battle-ready, power-dense solutions. We are advancing capabilities for warships around the globe through the reliable, proven design of the LM2500 family of marine gas turbines, coupled with GE's ethos of surpassing what is expected and delivering what is essential.

GE Aerospace is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and systems for commercial and military aircraft, and aeroderivative marine propulsion systems, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit GEAerospace.com/marine.