South Korean Navy Receives New Fregate: Capable Of Anti-Submarines And Brings Various Types Of Missiles

Launch of the ROKS Chungnam frigate (FF-953). (Source: HD HHI Photo)

JAKARTA - The Navy has again received a new warship that will strengthen its fleet, which this time has anti-submarine capabilities and carries various types of missiles.

The 3,600 tonne frigate has enhanced anti-submarine and antiaircraft capabilities, the South Korean arms procurement agency said.

The ceremony marked the delivery of the warship, named ROKS Chungnam (FF-953), which was held at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, about 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), reported by The Korea Times December 20.

The 129-meter-long ship is the first of six ships built under the Seoul frigate acquisition project, codenamed FFX Batch-III, to build a 3,600-ton frigate to replace the aging frigate and corvette.

The ship was equipped with a 5-inch cannon, a vertical launch system, as well as antiship missiles, tactical missiles from ships to land to long-range anti-submarine torpedoes.

Meanwhile, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which made the frigate, said in its statement, ROKS Chungnam is equipped with an Integrated Mast Sensor developed domestically and equipped with Multi-Function Phased-Array Radar on four sides, which is capable of detecting, tracking and responding thoroughly within 360 degrees.

This significantly increases the ability of anti-air warfare, which allows it to strike several air targets simultaneously, as quoted by Naval News.

"The sophisticated ROKS Chungnam frigate, with its advanced combat system, high-performance detection sensors and strong weaponry, is expected to play an important role in protecting the sea around the Korean Peninsula," said an official from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The plan is that the new frigate is expected to be deployed for surgery after undergoing training procedures for six months.