Four Next-Generation Navy Defense Vessels Launched... HJ Heavy Industries Holds Integrated Launching of New 'Chamsuri' High-Speed Patrol Boats

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The next-generation high-speed patrol boats, guardians of our seas, have simultaneously taken to the water.

On December 8, HJ Heavy Industries announced that it held an integrated launching ceremony for the first four new Navy high-speed patrol boats (PKX-B Batch-II), which will be deployed as coastal defense assets, at its Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan.

The event was attended by Navy Logistics Commander Sangmin Ahn (Rear Admiral), Jisanghyuk Bang, Acting Director of the Naval Ship Project Division at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (Navy Colonel), Cha Youngjoo, Head of the Naval Ship Center at the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality, as well as HJ Heavy Industries CEO Yoo Sangchul, shipyard officials, and Navy personnel. The ceremony included a project progress report, naming of the ships, commemorative speeches, awards for distinguished contributors, congratulatory remarks, and a launching and safe navigation prayer.

On the 8th, an integrated launching ceremony for four new Navy high-speed boats (PKX-B Batch-II) is taking place at HJ Heavy Industries Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan.

HJ Heavy Industries CEO Sangchul Yoo (4th from right) and Navy Logistics Commander Sangmin Ahn (6th) are posing for a commemorative photo at the launching ceremony of the new high-speed patrol boat.

The high-speed patrol boats launched this time are the Navy’s next-generation patrol boats (PKMR), which will replace the aging Chamsuri-class (PKM). They are equipped with the latest combat systems, 130mm guided rockets, electronic warfare equipment, and anti-guided missile decoy systems, significantly enhancing firepower and survivability compared to previous vessels.

By adopting waterjet engines, these boats can operate in coastal and shallow waters where fishing nets are dense. Improvements have also been made to the hull structure in critical areas, including enhanced bulletproof performance, shock-resistant design, fireproof bulkheads, and the application of stealth technology.

HJ Heavy Industries previously built and delivered all 16 vessels ordered by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in the first phase of the project (PKX-B Batch-I). In the second phase (Batch-II), which includes further improvements, the company has secured all 12 vessels ordered to date. Since developing Korea’s first high-speed patrol boat in 1972, HJ Heavy Industries has been producing these vessels for over 50 years. The high-speed patrol boats launched on this day were also completed entirely with in-house technology, from design to construction.

An HJ Heavy Industries official stated, “Since launching the first new high-speed patrol boat in 2016, we have successfully built a total of 20 vessels to date,” adding, “As a specialized defense shipbuilder, we will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of K-Defense based on our accumulated technology and experience.”

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