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Hanwha Philly Shipyard awarded $2B contract to build two missile-tracking vessels for Pentagon
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The Hanwha Philly Shipyard, a subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Group, has been awarded a $2 billion contract to build two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs) for the Pentagon. The announcement was made by White House OMB Director Russ Vought during the christening of a national security multi-mission vessel in Philadelphia. The new ships will replace the aging Pacific Tracker (built 1965) and Pacific Collector (built 1970), which monitor ballistic missile tests in the Pacific for the Missile Defense Agency. The first MRIV, named Golden Defender, is scheduled for delivery in June 2030 and will support President Trump's Golden Dome missile defense system. TOTE Services will serve as vessel construction manager. The shipyard has previously delivered four national security multi-mission vessels to the Maritime Administration, with a fifth due in 2027.
Source report
Hanwha Philly Shipyard has been selected to build two Missile Range Instrumentation Vessels (MRIVs) for the Pentagon at a cost of $2 billion, White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announced Friday.
Announcement at Christening Ceremony
The declaration came during the christening of the Department of Transportation’s fourth national security multi-mission vessel (NSMV) — Lone Star State — which will be used to train the next generation of merchant mariners at Texas A&M Maritime Academy, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation release.
Shipyard's Track Record
The shipyard, in collaboration with TOTE Services, has delivered four NSMVs to the department’s Maritime Administration. A fifth NSMV is scheduled for delivery in 2027.
TOTE Services will serve as the vessel construction manager for the building of the two MRIVs, according to Hanwha’s release.
Replacing Aging Vessels
The shipyard, a subsidiary of the South Korean Hanwha Group, was selected to build the new missile-tracking vessels to replace the aging Pacific Tracker and Pacific Collector, which were constructed in 1965 and 1970, respectively, according to the shipyard’s release.
The two ships, operating on behalf of the Missile Defense Agency, monitor and collect data on ballistic missile tests in the Pacific Ocean.
'Golden Defender' and Golden Dome
The first MRIV, named Golden Defender, is slated for delivery in June 2030 and will also support President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system, Vought said during the ceremony.
"It is thus my honor to announce the awarding of a contract to build the newest Missile Range Instrumentation Vessel 'Golden Defender' right here in Philadelphia under the combined management of Hanwha Philly and TOTE Services as the vessel construction manager. This new ship will not only support the President's policy of restoring America's Maritime Dominance, but also support the President's 'Golden Dome' missile defense system over the entirety of our nation. Golden Defender will serve the Missile Defense Agency in this mission."
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— Russ Vought, White House OMB Director
About the Author
Claire Barrett is an editor and military history correspondent for Military Times. She is also a World War II researcher with an affinity for Sir Winston Churchill and Michigan football.
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Hanwha Philly Shipyard Wins $2B Contract for Two Missile-Tracking Vessels