Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Constructs 6th New-Class Corvette

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The sixth 2800-ton class new frigate (FFX Batch-2), Pohang, has been constructed. The Pohang, built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, is equipped with tactical ship-to-ground guided missiles launched from the Korean Vertical Launching System (KVLS).

According to the Navy on the 8th, the launching ceremony for the new frigate 'Pohang' will be held at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering's Okpo Shipyard in Geoje, Gyeongnam.

The previous Pohang (PCC-756) was domestically built in 1982 and delivered to the Navy in 1984, playing a leading role in protecting territorial waters before being decommissioned in June 2009. Through this launching ceremony, the Pohang is being revived after 12 years. After undergoing sea trials and evaluation, the Pohang will be delivered to the Navy in early 2023, complete its operational integration, and then be deployed in active service.

The Pohang is a 2800-ton class new frigate (FFX Batch-2), with a total of eight ships of this class to be operated. The 7th ship (Cheonan) and the 8th ship (name undecided) will be constructed in the future. It replaces the 1500-ton class frigates and 1000-ton class patrol vessels. The Pohang measures 122 meters in length, 14 meters in width, and 35 meters in height.

The tactical ship-to-ground guided missiles installed on these ships have a range of about 200 km and are weapon systems designed to strike enemy coastal and land targets. Hundreds of submunitions capable of penetrating armored vehicles disperse and explode, devastating an area equivalent to two soccer fields. Additionally, the ship is equipped with a 5-inch naval gun, anti-ship missiles, tactical ship-to-ground guided missiles, and a close-in weapon system.

It also carries a towed linear array sonar and long-range anti-submarine torpedoes (Hong Sang-eo) to enhance submarine detection and attack capabilities. Unlike conventional torpedoes launched underwater, the Hong Sang-eo is rocket-propelled, launched into the air, then enters the sea to strike submarines.

The ship can operate one maritime operational helicopter and is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system engine using gas turbines and electric motors to reduce underwater radiated noise.

Meanwhile, the Navy uses names of special/metropolitan cities, provinces, provincial capitals, and medium-sized cities at the city level as names for frigates. The new frigate names include Daegu (1st ship), Gyeongnam (2nd ship), Seoul (3rd ship), Donghae (4th ship), Daejeon (5th ship), Pohang (6th ship), and Cheonan (7th ship). The name of the 8th ship is undecided.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.