BAP Chimbote, the Peruvian Navy’s second landing support ship, has been launched by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in partnership with SIMA Perú, about a week after the lead vessel BAP Talara entered the water. The launch took place on Tuesday, August 18, with officials noting that Chimbote is the first unit constructed in the sequence and carries pennant number 159, while Talara, launched earlier, bears pennant 160. Both ships are named for major Peruvian port cities and are intended for personnel and cargo transport, logistics support, and disaster relief.
The ceremony was led by President Keiko Fujimori with Minister of Defense Rafael Belaunde Llosa, alongside Admiral Federico Javier Bravo de Rueda Delgado, Commander General of the Peruvian Navy, the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to Peru Choi Jong-uk, and HD HHI President Won-ho Joo.
“This launch represents a significant achievement made possible by the combined efforts of Team Korea and close public-private cooperation. We will continue to strengthen the competitiveness of K-Naval solutions and diversify our global export markets.”
Won-ho Joo, President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
The milestone follows an April 16, 2024 agreement between HD HHI and SIMA Perú for local construction of four naval vessels, after HD HHI was named preferred bidder on March 27, 2024. The 463 million dollar contract covers one 3,400-ton frigate, one 2,200-ton offshore patrol vessel, and two 1,500-ton landing craft units.
According to the companies, it is the largest-volume defense export order to Latin America for a Korean shipbuilder. HD HHI provides design, equipment and materials, and technical support, while SIMA undertakes construction. With HHI support, SIMA is to deliver all four ships to the Peruvian Navy by 2029.
Vessel Specifications & Capabilities of HD HHI BALOG
Based on HHI’s HDL-1400 LCU design, the vessel displaces about 1,646 tons at full load, measures 58.9 meters in length with a 13.2-meter beam, and reaches a maximum speed of 10 knots. Payload includes military vehicles, up to 21 shipping containers, 211 cubic meters of freshwater, and 223 cubic meters of ship fuel. A stern aviation deck supports helicopter take-off and landing.
Beyond military logistics, the class is intended for national emergency response, able to deliver heavy rescue equipment, emergency supplies, fuel, and potable water to isolated coastal areas where infrastructure may be degraded or inaccessible.
Strategic Impact
HD HHI’s program in Peru marks a shift toward local joint construction of K-Naval solutions through technology cooperation. Under this approach, HHI supplies the design and technical assistance, and SIMA conducts block fabrication and assembly, outfitting, testing, and sea trials at its domestic facilities.
Support from the Korean government has aided the effort, with the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration facilitating defense cooperation with Peru. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Peru and KOTRA have also backed the project through coordination with Peruvian authorities and industry networks.
Officials say the transfer of ship design, modular manufacturing, and quality control know-how strengthens Peru’s shipbuilding base. As more nations pursue local construction to bolster domestic capacity, the model could open additional export opportunities for HHI.
Building on cooperation with the Peruvian government, HHI is also conducting the basic design for the Peruvian Navy’s next-generation submarine and intends to move directly to constructing the first boat after design completion.
HHI has indicated further opportunities ahead, noting in a March 2024 release that the Peruvian Navy plans additional orders for five frigates, four offshore patrol vessels, and two landing ships under a long-term force modernization effort. Similar naval-industrial partnerships have emerged elsewhere, such as when a Turkish Navy FAC takes shape at Istanbul Shipyard.