Navy Holds Launch Ceremony for High-Speed Landing Crafts No. 5 and 6 'Solgae-636/637'

Marine Corps Fully Armed Troops and Tanks Loaded

High-Speed Maneuvering to Conduct Ultra-Horizon Operations

On the afternoon of the 17th, the Navy will hold a launching ceremony for the high-speed landing crafts (LSF-II) No. 5 and 6, ‘Solgae-636/637,’ at Busan HJ Heavy Industries. The high-speed landing craft is a vessel capable of carrying fully armed troops, tanks, and armored vehicles, and conducting over-the-horizon landing operations at high speed.

The event will be attended by about 50 people, including Im Seong-geun, Commander of the 1st Marine Division, as the guest of honor; Kim Young-su, Commander of the Navy’s 5th Mine/Amphibious Warfare Group; Song Chang-gyu, Deputy Director of Naval Headquarters’ Force Requirements; Choi Jin-yong, Head of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s Amphibious Ship Project Team; and Yoo Sang-cheol, CEO of HJ Heavy Industries.

The Navy will hold the launching ceremony for the high-speed landing crafts (LSF-II) No. 5 and 6, 'Solgae-636/637,' on the afternoon of the 17th at Busan HJ Heavy Industries.
[Image provided by Navy Operations Command]

According to naval tradition, the wife of the guest of honor, Mrs. Kim Sun-hee, will cut the launching rope connected to the vessel. This symbolizes breathing life into the newly built ship, much like cutting the umbilical cord of a newborn baby.

Commander Im stated, “Since landing operations are a highly strategic factor that determines the outcome of war, securing advanced amphibious capabilities is a core task for the Navy and Marine Corps. Through the launching of this high-speed landing craft, the Navy and Marine Corps will further strengthen the foundation of ‘peace through strong power.’”

The Navy names vessels capable of high speed and rapid maneuvering after swift currents, and the high-speed landing craft is named ‘Solgae’ (Kestrel).

The Solgae measures approximately 28 meters in length, 14 meters in width, 8 meters in height, and weighs about 100 tons. It uses a gas turbine engine to achieve high-speed maneuvering. Notably, it employs an air-cushion system by inflating air inside the skirt, allowing the vessel to hover. This enables high-speed movement not only on the sea but also in shallow waters and mudflat areas.

Team Leader Choi said, “I appreciate the Navy, Marine Corps, and HJ Heavy Industries for their efforts in designing, constructing, and overcoming challenges during sea trials of this highly complex vessel, which shares characteristics similar to aircraft to perform high-speed landing operations. I also thank the related departments of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration for their contributions to enhancing amphibious capabilities.”

Deputy Director Song stated, “The high-speed landing craft is a key amphibious asset that can carry landing forces and equipment, overcome geographical constraints, and be rapidly deployed for over-the-horizon landing operations. It is a joint force that maximizes the operational effectiveness of the Navy and Marine Corps.”

Meanwhile, the Solgae-636/637 launched today will undergo sea trial evaluations and is expected to complete the operational deployment process by 2025.

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