KDDX electric-drive design signals focus on high-power naval capabilities

An artist's rendition of South Korea's future KDDX vessel, which will be equipped with full-electric propulsion. (Hanwha Ocean)

Information released by Leonardo DRS indicates that South Korea's planned Korean Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) warships are being designed with the electrical capacity to support power-intensive naval systems, potentially including directed-energy weapons.

In a media release issued on 17 September, Leonardo DRS announced that it had signed a contract with Doosan Enerbility to provide the electric propulsion system for the Republic of Korea Navy's (RoKN's) KDDX programme. The first ship is being built by Hanwha Ocean.

Leonardo DRS said it will supply its 100-Series permanent-magnet propulsion motors and compact variable-frequency drives (VFDs) as part of an integrated electric power and propulsion system for the class.

The announcement provides some of the clearest details released to date about the propulsion architecture underpinning the KDDX programme.

Leonardo DRS's statement follows an earlier announcement by GE Aerospace that it will provide 12 LM2500+G4 marine gas turbines for six KDDX destroyers. GE said each vessel will be powered by two turbines integrated into its full-electric propulsion configuration.

Leonardo DRS emphasised that the propulsion system has been designed to provide the power capacity, efficiency, and flexibility needed to support future mission systems.

The company cited advanced radar and electronic warfare systems, directed-energy systems, the charging of unmanned vehicles, and the launch of drone swarms as capabilities that could be supported by the architecture's electrical capacity.

South Korea's KDDX programme entered its detailed design and construction phase in July 2026, when the country's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a contract with Hanwha Ocean for the lead ship.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery to the RoKN in 2032.