Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the world’s largest shipbuilder in terms of the value of orders last year, said Monday that it has won a 400 billion-won ($330 million) order to build a frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy). In 2016, HHI was awarded the contract for the “Basic Design of Ulsan-class Batch- III”. Under the deal with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), Hyundai Heavy will deliver the 3,500-ton ship by 2024 to the country’s Navy.
The deal is for the first of six new the 3,500 ton FFX Batch III frigate vessels to be delivered to Republic of Korea Navy. The frigate, measuring 129 meters in length, 15 meters in width, with maximum speed of 30 knots features a dramatic improvement in its anti-aircraft defense capability compared to the existing Ulsan-class frigates by a four sided fixed multi-function phased array radar capable of 360 degrees omni-directional detection, tracking and engagement.
The ship will be equipped with a four-sided fixed multi-function phased array radar capable of 360-degree omnidirectional detection, tracking and engagement, which will significantly enhance anti-air defense capability. The ship will also adopt a hybrid propulsion system designed to avoid detection by submarines. It can also operate at high speeds using gas turbine in case of emergency, which will enhance its operational capabilities, according to Hyundai Heavy.
Since the delivery of the first Korean-built frigate ROKS Ulsan in 1980, HHI has played a pivotal role in the modernization of ROK Navy designing major warships. The Ulsan-class frigate is a class of multi-purpose guided missile frigates built by the Republic of Korea. They are presently in service with the Republic of Korea Navy and the Bangladesh Navy. Based on successful development experience of Ulsan-class Batch-III Frigate, HHI vows to accelerate the development of the next generation indigenously developed Korean Aegis Destroyer called KDDX.
