South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) launched ROKS Pohang (FFG-825), the sixth Daegu-class FFX Batch II frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) at its Okpo shipyard. Pohang, as the sixth ship in the class has been named, entered the water on September 8, just four months after the fifth ship in the class Daejeon (FFG-823) was launched. South Korea has awarded contracts for all eight ships in the class, which are being delivered by DSME and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). DSME is delivering the first, second, fifth and eighth units, while HHI will build the third, fourth, seventh and eighth frigate.
The Daegu-class frigate is a class of guided missile frigates of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). The Daegu-class is based on the preceding Incheon-class frigate, and has otherwise been referred to an Incheon-class batch II, or FFG-II. Eight Daegu-class ships are planned, with the final goal of 20-22 frigates (of all types) in the ROKN. The Daegu-class provides improved anti-submarine warfare capability than the predecessor Incheon-class frigate. The hull design is generally based on the one of the Incheon-class. The Daegu-class frigates are to be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries.
The Daegu-class ships displace 2,800-tons, and reach speeds of 30 knots powered by Rolls-Royce’s MT30 gas turbines. Also known as FFX II, the frigate class introduces improved anti submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities compared to the Incheon-class predecessor frigates. The class is the first Korean warship to be equipped with a combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) propulsion system. The propulsion system of the ROKN ships have a gas turbine direct drive and four high speed diesel generators driving two Leonardo DRS permanent magnet electric motors. The Rolls Royce MT30 turbine engine replaces the twin gas turbine layout of the Incheon-class frigates.
The Daegu-class is an improved variant of the Incheon-class frigate. Modifications to the Incheon-class include a TB-250K towed array sonar system and a 16-cell Korean Vertical Launching System (K-VLS) that is able to deploy the K-SAAM, Hong Sang Eo anti-submarine missile, and Haeryong tactical land attack cruise missiles. The ships are being equipped with a 16-cell Korean vertical launching system for defense against air threats and six torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare. Also included are naval guns and a Phalanx close-in weapon system. The improved ASW capability provided by the Hanwha Systems SQS-250K towed array sonar and SQS-240K hull-mounted sonar.
