Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | April 28 – South Korea’s newest submarine, future Indonesian corvette/presidential yacht and more

The South Korean and Thai navies have taken delivery of new ships while construction continues on future surface combatants for the US, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

South Korean Navy takes delivery of new attack submarine

The South Korean Navy recently took delivery of its newest Dosan Ahn Changho-class diesel-electric attack submarine from Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME).

The future ROKS Ahn Mu measures 83.5 metres long and is capable of a maximum submerged speed of 20 knots. Armament will include torpedoes, mines, and land attack missiles.

The submarine’s initial operational deployment is scheduled for 2024.

Royal Thai Navy commissions amphibious ship Chang

The Royal Thai Navy commissioned its newest landing platform dock (LPD) in a ceremony on Tuesday, April 25.

HTMS Chang (“Elephant”) is a variant of the Type 071 LPD built by China’s Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding for the People’s Liberation Army Navy. This delivery makes Thailand the first export customer for the Type 071.

The LPD measures 210 by 28 metres and will be able to embark up to 800 troops, various landing craft and land vehicles, and two transport/utility helicopters.

US Navy christens littoral combat ship Kingsville

The US Navy and shipbuilder Austal USA recently held a christening ceremony for the future USS Kingsville, an Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS).

Upon completion, the ship will measure 418 feet (127 metres) long and 104 feet (31.6 metres) wide and displace 3,421 tons (3,104 tonnes) at full load. Armament will include a BAE Systems naval gun, four 0.50-calibre (12.7-millimetre) machine guns, and Evolved SeaRAM surface-to-air missiles.

The LCS will be the first US Navy ship to be named after the city of Kingsville, Texas.

Future Indonesian Navy corvette floated out

Indonesian shipyard Karimun Anugrah Sejati has launched a new helicopter-capable guided missile corvette slated for the Indonesian Navy.

The 73-metre-long ship will be named KRI Bung Karno in honour of Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president. It will be equipped for anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine, and electronic warfare.

The corvette will also be operated as a presidential yacht after entering service later this year.

Romanian yard lays keel of Pakistan Navy’s third Yarmook-class patrol vessel

Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania has laid the keel of the third Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) slated for the Pakistan Navy.

As with its earlier sisters PNS Yarmook and PNS Tabuk, the future PNS Hunain will be built as a multi-purpose surface combatant that is also equipped to carry a helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs). Armament will include a 30mm naval gun and 12.7mm machine guns.

The OPV will also have deck space for two 20-foot containers housing mission-specific equipment modules.