A model of the Ghost Commander II on display at MADEX 2025. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

South Korean shipyard Hanwha Ocean has unveiled an improved variant of its Ghost Commander concept, which showcases the capabilities that can be incorporated in future command and amphibious assault ship programmes.

Known as the Ghost Commander II, the aircraft carrier-like ship incorporates some features found in the original 5,000 tonne Ghost Commander concept that was developed in anticipation of a command ship programme from the South Korean government.

These include dedicated hangars and catapults for fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Ghost Commander II concept has an overall length of 240 m, an overall beam of 60 m, and a draught of 30 m. It displaces approximately 42,000 tonnes at full load.

It will be equipped with electro-magnetic launch catapults and a well dock that can accommodate landing vehicles.

Besides UAVs, the Ghost Commander II can accommodate an unspecified number of Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle II (KAAV-II) units as well as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).

However, unlike the original Ghost Commander Concept, the Ghost Commander II has not been developed in response to an anticipated programme, said a Hanwha Ocean representative who spoke to Janes at MADEX 2025.

It is a showcase of present and future options that can be incorporated into a programme, should a customer decide to engage Hanwha Ocean to build its amphibious assault ships, the representative added.

Besides the 5,000 tonne Ghost Commander and the Ghost Commander II, Hanwha Ocean has also developed a 16,000 tonne concept of the original Ghost Commander to showcase its shipbuilding capabilities.

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