POSCO has made a big achievement in Korea's defense industry by creating advanced materials for naval ships.
The company announced that it has developed Korea's first high-ductility hull steel and ballistic-resistant steel for naval use. These materials were certified in January by the Korean Register, which checks and certifies the quality and safety of materials used in ships.
The certification process involved testing the materials for development, weldability, and their ability to protect warships. High-ductility steel is stronger and more flexible than regular steel, meaning it can bend or stretch without breaking when impacted.
POSCO's new steel is over 35% better in elongation compared to older shipbuilding materials. In crash tests, it absorbed about 58% more energy, lowering damage to ships during collisions with other vessels or objects in the water.
To make warships even safer, POSCO also developed ballistic-resistant steel that is 30% thinner than standard plates, improving the ship’s performance along with safety.
The new material can be used in important parts of ships, like bridges, radar systems, and weapon areas, offering strong protection against outside threats. It also helps reduce weight, making the ship more stable and easier to recover if it rolls over.
POSCO showed off this new technology last May at the 2025 International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition, where it attracted a lot of attention from defense experts both in Korea and internationally.
The company believes its technology can help increase Korea's presence in the global defense market. It could be used on ships for navies in South America and Southeast Asia, and in repair as well as construction projects for the U.S. Navy.
