HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has officially begun construction of the second ship of the next-generation Aegis destroyer, 'Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II,' which will serve as a core naval force of the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system.
On the 12th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held a keel-laying ceremony for the second next-generation Aegis destroyer at its special shipyard in Ulsan headquarters. The ceremony marks the installation of the first block used in the ship inside the dock, wishing for successful construction and safety. It signifies that the shipbuilding has entered the main phase.
On the 12th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held the keel-laying ceremony for the second next-generation Aegis destroyer at the special shipyard of the Ulsan shipyard. From the left in the photo: Song Unseong, Executive Director of Special Ship Business Support at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Kim Sangcheol, Executive Director of Special Ship Production; Lee Suyong, Team Leader of the Ship Project Department at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; Lee Jihyuk, Senior Researcher at the Defense Technology Quality Institute; and Lee Kwangyong, Senior Manager in charge of Special Ship Hull Production at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. (Photo by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)
The Republic of Korea Navy plans to acquire a total of three 8,200-ton next-generation Aegis destroyers, all of which are being built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The lead ship, 'Jeongjo the Great,' is currently undergoing testing and evaluation ahead of its delivery scheduled for the second half of this year, and the third ship is planned to begin construction by the end of this year.
The next-generation Aegis destroyer measures 170 meters in length, 21 meters in width, and has a light displacement of 8,200 tons. It can operate at a maximum speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 km/h). Compared to the existing Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers, it features enhanced ballistic missile interception capabilities and significantly improved anti-submarine warfare performance.
Equipped with surface-to-surface guided missiles, long-range surface-to-air guided missiles, long-range anti-submarine torpedoes, and lightweight torpedoes, it also boasts the latest Aegis combat system, multifunction phased array radar, electro-optical tracking equipment, and integrated sonar systems, providing formidable combat capabilities. Additionally, it is designed with a fuel-saving auxiliary propulsion system composed of two 1.7MW propulsion electric motors to reduce fuel consumption.
The second ship is scheduled to be launched next year, undergo sea trials starting in 2025, and be delivered to the Navy by the end of 2026.
Sea trial of the first ship of the next-generation Aegis destroyer (KDX-III Batch-II), "Jeongjo Daewang," built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and scheduled to be delivered to the Navy by the end of 2024 (Provided by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)
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