The fourth Ulsan-class frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), Jeju, has been launched by South Korean shipbuilder SK Ocean Plant.
The new warship hit the water for the first time at the end of last month at the firm’s shipyard in Goseong-gun in South Gyeongsang Province. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the ROK’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, its Navy, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The 129-metre Batch III frigate is capable of 30 knots, and displaces around 4,300 tons fully loaded. She features an integrated sensor mast with a four-sided fixed multifunctional phased array radar and an infrared search and track (IRST) system for 360-degree detection.
She is designed for enhanced survivability against air and surface threats; alongside her main 127mm naval gun, and she will carry an array of missiles, including the Korean Vertical Launch System (KVLS) for SAAM-400K K-SAAM interceptors, C-Star anti-ship missiles, and Sea Dragon tactical land-attack missiles.
Her anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities will include Red Shark rocket-assisted torpedoes, a hull-mounted sonar, and a towed array sonar system.
The launch of Jeju comes just seven months on from the launch of sister vessel the future ROKS Jeonnam in November last year. The firm is also currently carrying out final outfitting and delivery preparations for another Batch III frigate, the future ROKS Gyeongbuk; she is expected to be delivered to the Navy next month.
CEO of SK Oceanplant Kang Young-kyu commented: “The launch of ROKS Jeju marks another milestone in strengthening the Republic of Korea Navy’s future maritime capabilities and demonstrates the global competitiveness of our shipbuilding technology and production management system.”
SK Ocean Plant has now delivered more than 30 vessels to the Republic of Korea Navy and the Korea Coast Guard since 2017. It also recently recently signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the U.S. Navy, meaning it can bid for contracts to maintain and repair American military vessels.
- You can read more details on the SK Ocean Plant website