Rolls-Royce: "Next Destroyer Engine 'MT30' is Suitable"

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Rolls-Royce of the UK has expressed its intention to participate in the 7 trillion won Korean next-generation destroyer (KDDX) project. The engine Rolls-Royce proposed is the MT-30, which is installed on the ROK Navy’s Daegu-class new frigate (FFX Batch-II).

On the 2nd, Lee Jong-yeol, head of Rolls-Royce Korea, said at a press conference held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, "On the 1st, the 'MT30 gas turbine engine' was selected as the engine for one ship of the Navy’s Ulsan-class new frigate Batch-III, and we signed a supply contract with the shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries," adding, "Based on this, we propose the MT30 gas turbine engine for the KDDX project."

This is the second time Rolls-Royce is supplying the MT30 gas turbine engine to Korean frigates, following the Daegu-class Batch-II frigate in 2018. Rolls-Royce explained that the MT30 gas turbine engine has more than twice the power density compared to competing engines, making it more efficient.

'Batch' is a grouping unit that classifies ships of the same type. Even within the same class, Batch-II ships are technically more advanced than Batch-I. Since it takes a long time to build one ship, the concept of Batch-I, II, III, etc., is used to continuously apply the latest technologies discovered during construction to subsequent ships.

Lee said, "The MT-30 is used in the US Navy’s Freedom-class littoral combat ships, the UK Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and the Italian Navy’s amphibious assault ships," adding, "The power density of the MT30 gas turbine engine generator is one of the key elements that can realize the Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for the KDDX." The integrated electric propulsion system means generating power solely by electricity, which is equivalent to an 'electric car' in the automotive world.

Regarding controversies about long warm-up times limiting rapid operational deployment upon detecting enemy submarines and frequent breakdowns, he added, "The engine inspection time can be shortened as much as needed, but this was not well known, leading to misunderstandings."

On engine maintenance issues, he explained, "While supplying engines for the Navy’s FFX Batch-II frigates, we fully transferred maintenance and capabilities to Korea as part of an offset trade," adding, "Considering that, we are also delivering the engines for this FFX Batch-III."

A total of six KDDX ships are planned to be built. The KDDX development project aims to secure combat ships to be operated as the Navy’s core force and plans to replace the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers deployed through the KDX-2 project. The KDDX is a 6,000-ton class ship smaller than the Navy’s Aegis destroyers (7,600-ton class) and is called a 'mini Aegis ship' capable of performing basic missions such as missile interception.

The MT30 engine was developed based on Rolls-Royce’s Trent aircraft engine technology and manufactured based on over 45 million hours of operational experience. The MT30 gas turbine is currently known as the most powerful ship gas turbine with the highest power density in the world, delivering high output even in confined spaces.