HJSC secures contract for four new navy patrol boats worth $180m

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has signed a KRW266.3 billion (US$180 million) contract with South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to construct four new Geomdoksuri-B Batch-II high-speed patrol boats for the Republic of Korea Navy.

The new high-speed patrol boats are advanced vessels designed to replace the aging Chamsuri-class patrol boats. Equipped with the latest combat systems, anti-missile decoy systems, and remote fire control, these new boats offer significantly enhanced firepower, defense capabilities, and survivability compared to their predecessors.

After delivering all 16 units of the previous Geomdoksuri-B Batch-I model to the ROK Navy, the shipyard secured eight additional units in the Geomdoksuri-B Batch-II project by the end of last year, followed by an additional four units this year.

The new high-speed patrol boats are deployed as rapid-response forces for missions such as guarding the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in border areas with North Korea and coastal defense operations.