South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signed a $5.4 billion contract with Hanwha Ocean to begin building the lead ship of the next-generation KDDX destroyer program. The overall program is valued at 7.8 trillion won, with the first ship expected to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy by 2032. South Korea plans to build six ships of the class, with all six slated to enter service by 2036. The plan emphasizes domestically developed core systems such as combat management and sonar, and does not cite any specific listed companies or tradable traditional financial assets.