South Korea continues frigate programme with the FFX-IV

Seoul is continuing the renewal of its frigate fleet with determination. After six units of the Incheon class (115 metres, 3,200 tonnes) have been in service for ten years as FFX-I and the FFX-II with a new silhouette as Daegu class (122 metres, 3,600 tonnes) have proven themselves with eight units delivered in the last five years, six units of the FFX-III Chungnam class are now under construction at three South Korean shipyards (129 metres, 4,300 tonnes) - the type ship of this class is about to enter service. However, as a now 30-year-old fleet of three KDX-I destroyers, seven Ulsan frigates and 16 Pohang corvettes are also hoping to succeed them, the design and development steps for the FFX-IV were brought to the home straight at Hanwha Ocean near Busan in the south of the Korean peninsula at the end of January - so as not to interrupt the course of events. In terms of ship design, the Chungnam class should differ only slightly from the FFX-III. However, building on the experience gained with the predecessor classes, the six newbuildings with a delivery date from 2029/30 are to have significantly improved EloSM and EloGM systems (SLQ-200K Sonata) and also integrate all FK weapons in a command and weapon control system - including those of other units at sea and on land.