Exclusive: Peru to Replace Aging Submarines with South Korea’s New HDS-1500 Variant Under Strategic Pact.

A significant advancement in naval defense collaboration was announced on April 25, 2025, at the SITDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Lima, Peru. Peruvian state-owned shipyard Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA) and South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to jointly develop a new class of submarines based on the HDS-1500, marking a strategic milestone for the Peruvian Navy's modernization efforts.
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South Korean Company HD Hyundai Heavy Industries unveils the new HDS-1500 submarine concept at Colombiamar 2025, showcasing a next-generation solution for modern navies. (Picture source: KP News)

This agreement builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima in November 2024, transitioning from preliminary discussions into actionable development phases. The collaboration aims to design a submarine based on the HDS-1500 model, a design that recently received Approval in Principle (AIP) from the renowned classification society Det Norske Veritas – Germanischer Lloyd (DNV-GL).

The design development phase is projected to span two to three years. Following successful funding and design finalization, the construction phase is anticipated to require at least four additional years, suggesting that the first units could realistically enter service by the early 2030s.

The new HDS-1500 submarines are intended to gradually replace the aging Type 209/1100 "Islay" Class and Type 209/1200 "Angamos" Class submarines. These German-designed submarines have been stalwarts of the Peruvian Navy for several decades but are nearing the end of their operational lives.

Currently, the Peruvian Navy's submarine fleet comprises six German-built Type 209 submarines: two Type 209/1100s (BAP Islay and BAP Arica) and four Type 209/1200s (BAP Angamos, BAP Antofagasta, BAP Pisagua, and BAP Chipana). Commissioned between 1974 and 1983, these diesel-electric submarines have formed the backbone of Peru’s undersea capabilities for over forty years.

Recognizing the urgent need to sustain its undersea warfare capacity, the Peruvian Navy previously launched a comprehensive modernization program in collaboration with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). This program includes significant upgrades to the submarines’ structures, propulsion systems, sensors, and combat systems, aiming to extend their operational service lives by approximately fifteen years. The BAP Chipana was the first to complete this modernization and has successfully returned to service, with the remaining submarines undergoing similar upgrades.

The HDS-1500 submarine, developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, made its debut at the International Maritime Defense Conference "Colombiamar 2025," held at the Cartagena Convention Center in Colombia. During the event, HD Hyundai set up a joint promotional stand with LIG Nex1 to actively promote the new submarine model.

The HDS-1500 is positioned as an economically attractive solution for countries with limited defense budgets and manpower, such as Colombia and Peru. Measuring 65 meters in length, 6.5 meters in width, and displacing 1,500 tons submerged, the HDS-1500 is less than half the size and weight of South Korea’s Jangbogo-3 (KSS III) submarine. This smaller size significantly lowers costs, making it highly competitive in price-sensitive markets.

Technically, the HDS-1500 is considered an entry-level submarine. It is comparable in size and combat load to South Korea’s Son Won-il class (Type 214) submarines but differs in propulsion technology. Notably, it does not feature an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which is present in the Son Won-il and Jangbogo-3 classes. Instead, the HDS-1500 uses advanced lithium-ion battery technology, enhancing submerged endurance without the complexity and cost of AIP systems.

Another key feature is the reduced crew requirement. While submarines of similar size, like the Jangbogo-class, require a crew of 32, the HDS-1500 can operate with just 25 personnel. This significantly reduces operational costs and increases efficiency. Additionally, HD Hyundai designed the HDS-1500 with an open architecture for its mission systems, allowing users to freely install weapons, combat systems, and sonar suites according to their specific operational needs.

The importance of maintaining a strong submarine force for Peru cannot be overstated. With an extensive coastline along the Pacific Ocean, Peru’s submarines play a critical role in protecting national sovereignty, deterring maritime threats, securing vital sea lanes, and enhancing regional stability. Submarines offer stealth, strategic deterrence, and intelligence-gathering capabilities that surface ships alone cannot match.

The partnership between SIMA and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries represents not just a modernization effort but a strategic leap forward in Peru’s ambition to achieve greater self-reliance in defense manufacturing. By working closely with a global shipbuilding leader like HHI, SIMA will gain invaluable expertise in advanced shipbuilding technologies, enhancing Peru’s capacity for future indigenous submarine projects. Furthermore, the cooperation reinforces the broader defense relationship between Peru and South Korea, opening the door for expanded collaboration across maritime and security domains.