HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Delivers Corvette 'Chungnamham' to Navy Ahead of Schedule

Enhanced Air Defense and Anti-Submarine Capabilities Compared to Existing Ulsan Class
Both Shin Chaeho and Jeongjo Daewang Ships Delivered This Year

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has delivered the latest escort ship, the Chungnamham, ahead of schedule, following the next-generation Aegis destroyer 'Jeongjo Daewangham'.

On the 18th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held a delivery ceremony for the 3,600-ton new escort ship lead ship Chungnamham at its Ulsan headquarters, attended by Joo Won-ho, Head of the Special Ship Business Division, Shin Hyun-seung, Director of the Naval Ship Business Department at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and Park Tae-gyu, Commander of the 8th Naval Flotilla.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held the delivery ceremony of the 3,600-ton new escort ship lead ship 'Chungnam' at its Ulsan headquarters on the 18th. (Provided by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)

Chungnamham is the first ship of the 'Ulsan-class Batch-III' project, which involves building a total of six 3,600-ton new escort ships, and inherits the name of the 1,500-ton escort ship Chungnamham (FF-953) that was decommissioned in 2017.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a detailed design and construction contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration in March 2020, launched the ship in December 2022, and after about two years of testing and evaluation, delivered it to the Navy ahead of the original contract deadline.

Chungnamham is a multipurpose combat ship measuring 129 meters in length and 15 meters in width, capable of operating at speeds up to 30 knots (approximately 55 km/h). Its operational capability has been enhanced by the application of a hybrid propulsion system.

The ship is equipped with a domestically developed composite sensor mast, including a 4-sided fixed multifunction phased array radar capable of 360-degree omnidirectional detection, tracking, and response, significantly strengthening its air defense capabilities by enabling simultaneous engagement of multiple air targets. Additionally, it is equipped with a Korean vertical launch system that can operate various guided missiles simultaneously, and various sonars (underwater acoustic detectors) that provide excellent anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries previously delivered the 3,000-ton submarine Sin Chae-ho in April and the 8,200-ton Aegis destroyer (Batch-II) lead ship Jeongjo Daewangham in November to the Navy on schedule and ahead of schedule, respectively.

An HD Hyundai Heavy Industries official said, "The latest escort ship Chungnamham is expected to play a key role in protecting the West Sea based on its state-of-the-art combat system, high-performance detection equipment, and powerful armament."