Republic of Korea Navy takes delivery of lead Chungnam-class frigate

The Republic of Korea Navy took delivery of a new guided-missile frigate from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in a ceremony in Ulsan on Wednesday, December 18.

ROKS Chungnam is also the lead ship of a similarly named class, which will consist of six frigates. Deliveries of all six Chungnam-class ships are scheduled to be completed by the middle of 2028.

The newbuild has a length of 129 metres, a beam of 15 metres, a displacement of 3,600 tonnes, and a combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) propulsion arrangement that can deliver speeds of up to 30 knots.

The frigate also boasts significantly enhanced anti-air warfare capability through the installation of a four-sided, multi-functional phased array radar that can provide 360 degrees of coverage and a vertical launch system for surface-to-air missiles. These enable the ship to engage multiple airborne targets simultaneously.

Chungnam is also armed with a 127mm naval gun, a close-in weapon system, land attack missiles, and indigenously developed K745 Blue Shark lightweight torpedoes.