Hanwha Defense taps Tom Anderson to run American shipbuilding arm

WASHINGTON — Hanwha Defense today announced it has hired Tom Anderson, formerly a top officer overseeing US Navy ship construction and maintenance, to lead its American shipbuilding business.

“Anderson will be responsible for the execution of Hanwha’s U.S. shipbuilding programs and shipyard operations, including developing the company’s strategy for future shipbuilding programs as well as building the company’s shipbuilding infrastructure and associated workforce to accommodate future growth,” according to a statement from Hanwha.

A retired rear admiral, Anderson was the program executive officer for ships, the flag officer billet overseeing one of the Navy’s largest shipbuilding acquisition portfolios including the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, big- and small-deck amphibs and future surface combatants such as DDG(X), among other programs.

“Tom has had a distinguished and impactful naval career, and we are delighted to bring his deep industry expertise, creative thinking, and demonstrated leadership to Hanwha,” said Mike Smith, president and CEO of Hanwha Defense USA. “This is a pivotal time for the Navy and U.S. shipbuilding writ large. Tom brings a wealth of experience and unique perspectives that will accelerate the delivery of novel solutions to our customers’ most elusive industrial base challenges.”

Hanwha’s announcement comes as the South Korean conglomerate has aggressively pushed to integrate itself into the American defense industrial base, most notably by acquiring Philly Shipyard, a former Navy facility that up until Hanwha’s acquisition in December 2024, was owned by a Norwegian industrial investment group.

Amid continued rhetoric from the White House about increased investment in American shipbuilding, firms such as Canada’s Davie Shipbuilding and Hanwha competitor HD Hyundai Heavy have also either purchased or publicly floated the idea of acquiring US-based shipyards.