NK’s defense affiliate, NK Aderment, is positioning itself for medium- to long-term revenue growth. The company plans to supply critical equipment to major domestic shipyards as submarine export orders expand.
On April 28, NK Aderment said it had completed preliminary steps for export-submarine programs, including signing MOUs and submitting preliminary bids and cost estimates to key domestic shipbuilders. The company says those actions give it an early foothold to equip platforms if it secures contracts. It plans to follow with detailed technical reviews and price negotiations to win actual orders.
NK Aderment points to its pneumatic and hydraulic engineering capabilities and its core pressure-tank manufacturing expertise as competitive strengths. Relying on decades of experience designing systems to perform reliably under high-pressure, demanding conditions, the company has steadily internalized component technologies for submarine platforms. It has prioritized domestic production of critical items that were previously imported, raising its technological self-reliance.
A flagship example is the KSS-III Batch-II, the latest Korean submarine, for which NK Aderment supplies core systems. Most of these components are high-complexity items that must meet strict noise and vibration standards essential for submarine stealth and operability; NK Aderment says it holds the necessary technology and know-how. The company argues that its KSS-III Batch-II delivery record and technical credibility give it a competitive edge for future export-submarine programs.
Major domestic shipyards are pursuing export-submarine contracts with several countries, including Canada. NK Aderment expects to participate as a key equipment supplier in those programs. The company says that if shipyard orders accelerate amid rising global defense demand, its revenues could grow quickly.
NK Aderment is working on multiple export projects and expects that, as contracts are confirmed sequentially, it will enter a sustained growth trajectory. Submarine contracts typically involve long-term delivery schedules, enabling steady revenue streams over several years after deals are finalized.
More than half of NK Aderment’s current revenue already comes from submarine-related work. The global export-submarine market currently in view is estimated at about 70 trillion KRW (approximately 52.5 billion USD).
NK Aderment has also established and operates the security systems required for defense contractors, and the company says it has earned a high level of trust in managing sensitive technologies.
An NK Aderment official said, “As demand for stronger defense capabilities grows and the push to domesticize advanced equipment accelerates, our technological competitiveness becomes more pronounced. We will develop the defense business into a core growth engine for the group by securing stable, long-term orders.”
Meanwhile, NK will halt trading from today through the 21st of next month for a stock consolidation aimed at boosting shareholder value. The consolidated shares are expected to begin trading on the 22nd of that month.
