[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] The Revived Cheonan Ship... First Live-Fire Exercise

Navy Conducts Firing and Maritime Maneuver Training Across All Eastern, Western, and Southern Sea Areas

The Cheonan (FFG-II, 2800-ton class), revived as the latest frigate after 13 years, will conduct its first live-fire naval gun exercise in the West Sea. This is the first time for a live-fire exercise.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 3rd, the Navy announced that it will conduct the first naval gun firing exercise and naval maneuver training of the new year in all sea areas of the East, West, and South Seas in the afternoon.

The exercise, conducted simultaneously by the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Fleets, will involve 13 vessels including frigates and guided missile fast attack crafts, as well as 3 aircraft. Each fleet will carry out live-fire exercises against ships and tactical maneuvers according to the operational environment and main missions of each sea area.

The 1st Fleet will participate with 4 vessels including Gangwonham (FFG-I, 2500-ton class) and Kim Su-hyunham (PKG, 450-ton class), along with 1 aircraft; the 2nd Fleet with 5 vessels including Eulji Mundeokham (DDH-I, 3200-ton class), Cheonanhm (FFG-II, 2800-ton class), and Han Sang-gukham (PKG, 450-ton class), plus 1 aircraft; and the 3rd Fleet with 4 vessels including Gyeongnamham (FFG-II, 2800-ton class) and fast patrol craft (PKMR, 230-ton class), along with 1 aircraft. Navy Chief of Staff Yang Yong-mo is scheduled to fly over the West Sea aboard a maritime patrol aircraft (P-3C).

The Cheonan, which is taking part in its first live-fire exercise, was operationally deployed to the Navy’s 2nd Fleet Command last month. The old Cheonan was a patrol ship with a displacement of 1000 tons, but the new Cheonan is a 2800-ton class frigate, representing an upgrade in ship class. It measures 122 meters in length, 14 meters in width, and 35 meters in height, with a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h), and can carry one naval helicopter. It is armed with a 5-inch naval gun, anti-ship missiles, surface-to-surface guided missiles, long-range anti-submarine torpedoes, and guided missile defense missiles. Additionally, it is equipped with a hull-mounted sonar (HMS) and a towed array sonar system (TASS), which was not present on the previous Cheonan, enabling it to detect submarines at long distances. Furthermore, its hybrid propulsion system, combining electric motors and gas turbine engines, reduces noise and enhances anti-submarine capabilities.

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