Hanwha Philippines Shipyard Secures Contract for U.S. 'Golden Dome' Missile Defense Support Ship

Hanwha Philippines Shipyard has secured a contract to build a key support vessel for the U.S. 'Golden Dome' missile defense system. The MRIV (Missile Radar Imaging Vessel) will track missile trajectories, collect remote measurement data, and analyze test results during missile flight trials. As a critical component of the next-generation 'Golden Dome' system, the MRIV is named 'Golden Defender' and is scheduled for sequential delivery starting in 2030. Hanwha Philippines Shipyard will handle construction, while TOTE Services, a vessel construction management company, will oversee scheduling and costs. The project aligns with the Trump administration's 'Merchant Shipbuilding and Conversion Act (MASGA)' initiative, reflecting broader U.S.-South Korea cooperation in shipbuilding. U.S. officials emphasized the strategic importance of the contract for national security and revitalizing American shipbuilding heritage.