South Korean yard to build two frigates under US$578m contract

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has been awarded a contract for the construction of two new FFX Batch IV or Chungnam-class frigates for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

The frigates will have the same overall dimensions as the earlier Chungnam-class ships but will boast advanced cybersecurity features as well as smart systems that will permit smaller crew complements to be embarked.

The contract, which has a value equivalent to approximately US$578.6 million, covers the construction of the two frigates up to December 2030.

The six earlier Chungnam-class frigates are being built by Hanwha Ocean, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), and SK Oceanplant. Each builder will deliver two frigates to the ROKN up until the middle of 2028. Class lead ship ROKS Chungnam was delivered by HHI to the ROKN earlier this month.

The frigates' missions will include anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare. Each ship's armament will include a 127mm naval gun, a close-in weapon system, land attack missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and torpedoes.