Hanwha Ocean to Build First Two FFX Batch-IV Frigates

Hanwha Sea News release equated by Naval Information

Hanwha Sea revealed on the 18 ^th that it has actually authorized a significant agreement with the Protection Procurement Program Management (DAPA) for the “Ulsan-class Frigate (FFX) Batch-IV Ship Building Task,” valued at 839.1 billion KRW (578.69 million USD), with a conclusion target of December 2030.

FFX Batch-IV notes the last stage of a four-stage task to change the Ulsan-class frigates, which have actually remained in solution given that the 1980s. An overall of 6 Batch-IV ships will certainly be developed, standing for a considerable progression in the development of the Republic of Korea Navy’s frigates. Although the Batch-IV ships will certainly preserve the variation and outside style of their Batch-III precursors, they are basically a “complete adjustment” version, including advanced upgrades that differentiate them as “wise frigates.”

The Batch-IV frigates will certainly include updated systems, consisting of 4 sophisticated tool systems and recently created innovations, such as the Close-In Tool System (CIWS-II) and Digital War Equipment-II, effortlessly included right into the fight system. Developed for future functional atmospheres with possible workforce constraints, these ships will certainly integrate manpower-saving layouts while boosting staff functional effectiveness and living problems. Furthermore, they will certainly include cybersecurity surveillance systems to combat cyber hazards and progressed capacities to resist drone hazards.

Complying with the distribution of the 5th and sixth vessels of Batch-III, Hanwha Sea looks for to enhance the Republic of Korea Navy’s functional capacities and additional development nationwide protection via the effective distribution of the first and second vessels of Batch-IV. Hanwha Sea is the only business with building and construction experience throughout the whole schedule of sophisticated residential destroyers under the KDX-I, II, and III programs, which presented brand-new fight innovations and ideas given that 2000. Thus, it holds the difference of having actually provided one of the most destroyers presently run by the Republic of Korea Navy.

By improving the technological connection of the 5th and sixth vessels of Batch-III and integrating advanced wise ship remedies, we are dedicated to developing frigates that establish a brand-new typical unlike anything seen prior to.

Yong— Jun Cho, Head of the Residential Sales Group for Unique Function Ships at Hanwha Sea

Writer’s Note

The FFX Batch-IV will certainly preserve the outside style and basic requirements of the recently delivered FFG-III Chungnam-class ships to the ROK Navy. Nonetheless, it will certainly include improved fight effectiveness contrasted to the Batch-III via the combination of 4 progressed tools systems: the C-Star anti-ship rocket, the Red Shark K-ASROC, the K-SAAM short-range surface-to-air rocket, and the Sea Dragon Cruise Ship Projectile. Furthermore, the Batch-IV will certainly integrate a native Design Control System (ECS), differentiating it from the Batch-III.

Lastly, the Digital War Equipment-II, presently being created by LIG Nex1 and set up for conclusion by 2029, is anticipated to change the SLQ-200K Sonata, which is presently utilized on most of the ROK Navy’s surface area fight ships. This brand-new system is expected to substantially improve the vessels’ survivability versus the most recent anti-ship rockets and drones via sophisticated jamming capacities, making certain the FFX Batch-IV is well-prepared for future marine battlespaces.

It was reported in the neighborhood media that Hanwha Sea was the single prospective buyer for the Batch-IV program, recommending that the business is most likely to proceed leveraging its experience in creating “wise frigates.”

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