The Reborn Pohang-class Ship... Significantly Enhanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Capability

Replacement of 1500-ton Class Frigates and 1000-ton Class Patrol Ships

The new Pohang-class frigate (2800t class) has been delivered to the Navy. The new Pohang-class frigate is a state-of-the-art warship with significantly enhanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

According to the military on the 2nd, the Pohang, the 6th ship of the Ulsan-class Batch-II (FFX batch-II), was built to replace the Navy's 1500t-class frigates (FF) and 1000t-class patrol combat corvettes (PCC). It is a 2800t-class warship measuring 122m in length, 14m in width, and 35m in height, equipped with a 5-inch naval gun, anti-ship missiles, close-in weapon systems, and can operate one maritime operational helicopter.

From the left, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Site Representative Joo Young-seok, Senior Manager; Navy 8th Combat Training Group Commander Brigadier General Kim Byung-jae; Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Ulsan-class Batch-II Project Manager Lieutenant Colonel Jeon Kyung-soo (Photo by Defense Acquisition Program Administration)

Additionally, a hybrid propulsion system that can use both gas turbines and electric motors was applied, reducing underwater noise emitted from the ship's machinery and propellers. Furthermore, it is equipped with a towed array sonar system (Towed Array Sonar System·TASS) and the long-range anti-submarine torpedo 'Hongsang-eo,' enhancing its submarine detection and attack capabilities. The Pohang will undergo operational training before being deployed in active service.

Frigate names are derived from special/metropolitan cities, provinces and provincial capitals, and small to medium-sized cities at the municipal level. The first to fifth ships of the FFX batch-II, from Daegu to Daejeon, have been delivered, and the seventh ship Cheonan and eighth ship Chuncheon are under construction. The name Pohang has been used before. The 1000t-class patrol combat corvette Pohang (PCC-756), delivered to the Navy in 1984, served in territorial waters defense for 25 years before being decommissioned in June 2009.

Meanwhile, on the 28th of last month, a delivery signing ceremony for the new Pohang-class frigate was held at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Okpo Shipyard in Geoje.