HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has launched the future ROKN Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, the second KDX-III Batch II Aegis guided-missile destroyer destined for the Republic of Korea Navy.
HD HHI held a launching ceremony for the next-generation warship at its Ulsan shipyard yesterday (Wednesday). The ship represents a milestone in collaboration between the U.S. and South Korea, incorporating the American Aegis combat system into an HD HHI-designed platform.
The Batch II class, which incorporates domestically produced technologies such as the KVLS-II Vertical Launch System for missiles, features improved ballistic missile defence (BMD), land-attack, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.
The new 170-metre vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the ROKN next year; she will displace 8,200 tons and boast a top speed of about 30 knots. She is now set to undergo final assembly, followed by sea trials.
Equipped with the Aegis combat system, integrated sonar, and advanced interceptor capabilities, she has been described by HD HHI as “the world’s most powerful Aegis destroyer to date.”
As per HD HHI, her detection and tracking capabilities are more than double that of the ROKN’s slightly smaller Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers, while her integrated sonar system has improved submarine detection range more than threefold.
The ceremonial launch event was attended by approximately 400 people, including Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyu-baek, Chief of Naval Operations Kang Dong-gil, Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s Infrastructure Power Headquarters Bang Geuk-cheol, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries CEO Lee Sang-gyun, as well as other notable government, industry, and naval officials.
Joo Won-ho, head of the special ship business division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, commented: “With our shipbuilding capabilities to deliver high-performance, high-quality ships on time, we will continue to further enhance the status of the Republic of Korea Navy, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, and take the lead in ship exports and the MASGA [Make American Shipbuilding Great Again] project.”
The firm said that construction of the third Batch II ship scheduled to be commissioned into service in 2027 is also progressing smoothly and on schedule.
- You can read more details on the Hyundai Heavy Industries website