Ulsan-class Batch-IV 6 Ships to be Laid Down, Hanwha Ocean and Others Expected to Participate
Domestic naval defense companies are entering the bidding competition in the second half of the year. Intense competition is expected for the contract to build the ‘Ulsan-class Batch-IV’ frigates, which will replace aging patrol ships such as corvettes and frigates.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) plans to hold a briefing session on the ‘Ulsan-class Batch-IV (ships 1 and 2) construction project’ on the 11th at the Government Complex Gwacheon. DAPA will receive proposals from interested companies and proceed with negotiations. A total of six ships will be constructed, with a budget of 3.2525 trillion KRW allocated from 2023 to 2032.
Companies that participated in the Batch-III construction are expected to compete again in the Batch-IV bidding. For Batch-III, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries built the first ship, SK Oceanplant constructed ships 2 to 4, and Hanwha Ocean built ships 5 and 6.
The Republic of Korea Navy began introducing the 1,500-ton small combatant Ulsan-class frigates in the 1970s. To replace aging vessels, the navy upgraded the size and combat capabilities through Batch-I (Incheon-class, 2,300 tons), Batch-II (Daegu-class, 2,800 tons), and Batch-III (3,600 tons) starting from 2010. This project is the final phase of the four-stage program to replace the Ulsan-class frigates.
Batch-IV will integrate additional domestically produced armaments and localize the integrated platform management system. It will also incorporate improvement requests raised by the navy during maritime operations. Once Batch-IV begins to be commissioned from 2030, Pohang-class (PCC) patrol ships, Ulsan-class frigates, and Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers are expected to be retired.
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