[Courtesy of Hyundai Heavy Industry]
South Korea will finally go ahead with the construction of 3,000-ton frigates in a 2.3 billion US dollar program that would complete the construction of modern vessels to replace the aging fleet of coastal ships.
The prime contractor in the 2.8 trillion won ($2.3 billion) program is Hyundai Heavy Industries, according to the defense ministry's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). By 2026, six 3,000-ton frigates featuring an improved radar system, stealth design, and new missiles would be built.
The South's navy initially wanted dozens of 3000-ton frigates, but the project has been downgraded due to budget problems, starting with smaller Incheon-class ships to take over multi-role operations.
In 2011, the lead ship of Incheon-class frigates was launched. A 2,300-ton ship named Gwangju was delivered in November this year, marking the sixth and last ship in the first batch of Incheon-class frigates.
The Gwangju is equipped with a five-inch main gun, anti-ship, and anti-air missiles as well as state-of-the-art weapon systems and sensors. It can embark a helicopter to hunt down submarines.
The second batch calls for eight 2,800-ton frigates. New Incheon-class ships are being armed with tactical missiles capable of attacking key ground targets in North Korea.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
