Overview
- The Office of Management and Budget announced that Hanwha Philly Shipyard will build two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels called Golden Defender with TOTE Services as vessel construction manager, a pairing confirmed in company and government statements.
- The companies say the work will reuse the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) hull and production processes to cut schedule and technical risk and speed work on the Missile Defense Agency platform.
- Officials and press reporting identified the deal on July 17 as covering roughly two ships at about $1.4 billion and set the first ship’s delivery target for 2030.
- Supporters argue the VCM model and NSMV carry-forward will lower acquisition costs and keep the Philly yard’s active production line busy, while Congress is debating limits on buying foreign-built warships and use of foreign designs that could affect program choices.
- The award builds on the NSMV program that transformed the Philly yard from a slow site into a 2,000-worker production line and could expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity if Hanwha follows through on planned yard growth.