3,600-Ton Frigate 'Jeju' to Be Delivered to Navy Next Year

by Yang Nakgyu

Published 29 Apr.2026 11:11(KST)

The Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration will hold the launching ceremony for the 4th ship of the Ulsan-class (Batch-III), a state-of-the-art 3,600-ton frigate named 'Jeju', at SK Oceanplant in Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, on April 29. The Jeju is 129 meters in length, 14.8 meters in width, and 38.9 meters in height. It is equipped with a 5-inch naval gun, the Korean Vertical Launching System (KVLS), anti-ship guided missile defense missiles, anti-ship guided missiles, tactical ship-to-ground guided missiles, and long-range anti-submarine torpedoes.

The 4th ship of the latest 3,600-ton class Ulsan-class Batch-III frigates, "Jeju Ship." Photo by Republic of Korea Navy

In particular, the ship is fitted with an Integrated Sensor Mast (ISM) that includes infrared search and tracking equipment, as well as a domestically developed multifunctional phased array radar (MFR). The multifunctional phased array radar, with its four fixed panels, enables all-around detection and tracking of both air and surface targets, and can simultaneously engage multiple aerial targets. Additionally, its hybrid propulsion system minimizes noise, and it features domestically developed hull-mounted sonar (HMS) and towed array sonar system (TASS), which provide superior anti-submarine warfare capabilities. After sea trials, the Jeju is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in June next year and will be operationally deployed following its integration into the fleet.

Approximately 150 people will attend the launching ceremony, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Jin Youngseung as the main guest, Navy Chief of Staff Kim Kyungryul, Defense Acquisition Program Administration Director General for Force Support Jeong Jaejun, and SK Oceanplant CEO Kang Younggyu.

In materials distributed ahead of the launching ceremony, Chairman Jin Youngseung emphasized, "Now is a critical time when it is more important than ever to strengthen our commitment to independent national defense and to further enhance our practical readiness." He added, "Our military is making every effort to transform into a 'strong military capable of winning battles' by advancing the capabilities of the evolving K-defense industry, such as unmanned surface vessels and unmanned aerial vehicles, and by rapidly developing AI-based manned-unmanned integrated combat capabilities."