Contract signed for first Korean FFX Batch-III frigate
By
Ryan White
-
March 16, 2020
Defense Acquisition Program Administration awarded Hyundai Heavy Industries $328 million (₩400 billion) contract to begin system development and subsequent construction of the lead ship of FFX Batch-III class of frigates.
As a premier AAW frigate, FFX Batch-III’s most notable improvement over the preceding class (Incheon and Daegu) is its indigenous 4-panel AESA multi-function radar.
One puzzling fact is that there has not been any development of long-range naval SAM for this class of frigate despite its powerful radar. As of right now, FFX Batch-III will only be armed with Sea Bow (Haegung) K-SAAM which boasts ~20km range.
The lead ship is scheduled to enter service with the Republic of Korea Navy in 2024 and total of 6 ships will be built.
Displacement: 3,500 tons (empty) / estimated 4,000 tons (full)
Length: 129 meters
Width: 15 meters
Top Speed: 30 knots
Armaments: 5 inch gun, K-VLS, CIWS, AShM, etc.
She is about 7 meters longer, 1 meter wider, and 500+ tons heavier than Daegu-class frigate.
Defense Acquisition Program Administration awarded Hyundai Heavy Industries $328 million (₩400 billion) contract to begin system development and subsequent
navalnews.net
ROK Navy’s FFX Batch III Frigate to be equipped with the future Long-Range Naval L-SAM
June News 2020 Navy Naval Maritime Defense Industry26 JUNE 2020
According to the Agency for Defense Development, the upcoming FFX Batch-III frigates will be equipped with the future "Long-Range Naval SAM" (Naval L-SAM) and have BMD capability.
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The vessel is the first of six 3,500 ton Ulsan-class Batch-III frigates. (Picture source: HHI picture)
Since FFX Batch-III frigates will enter service before the Naval L-SAM is scheduled to complete development, they will initially be equipped with Haegung (Sea Bow) K-SAAM for self-defense.
When the Naval L-SAM becomes operational, they will be integrated FFX Batch-III frigates in service.
This would effectively turn these ships into "mini-AEGIS" frigates and would provide ROKN's Coastal Fleets with fleet air defense & missile defense capabilities found on KDX-3 and KDDX destroyers of the ocean-going Mobile Task Flotillas.
The
L-SAM is being developed as part of the Korean Air and Missile Defense project, slated to be ready in 2020. It aimed to intercept missiles at an altitude of 50 to 60 kilometers with the ability to shoot down Pyongyang's ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. Currently, the U.S.-made THAAD system is capable of intercepting incoming ballistic missiles at 40 to 150 kilometers.
FFX Batch-III frigate model unveiled at MADEX 2019. (Picture source: Twitter)
About the FFX Batch-III frigates:
The class of 129-metre longships was previously known as the FFX Batch III frigates and will displace 3,500-ton vessels.
The frigate is scheduled to be constructed at HHI’s Ulsan shipyard and to be delivered in 2024.
The ship will also adopt a hybrid propulsion system designed to avoid detection by submarines. It can also operate at high speeds, up to 30 knots, using gas turbine in case of emergency, which will enhance its operational capabilities, according to Hyundai Heavy.
The ship will be equipped with a four-sided fixed multi-function phased array radar capable of 360-degree omnidirectional detection, tracking and engagement, which will significantly enhance anti-air defense capability.
According to the Agency for Defense Development, the upcoming FFX Batch-III frigates will be equipped with the future "Long-Range Naval SAM" (Naval L-SAM)
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Se ve interesante... con SAM y SSM coreano.
En vez de la MT-30 podria irse por un pack diesel-diesel o por GE LM-2500.
Saludos