Hanwha Ocean, Ulsan-class Frigate Deployment - IV Construction Main Contract for Ships 1 and 2

Contract Amount 839.1 Billion Won... Ongoing Until 2030

Hanwha Ocean announced on the 18th that it has signed a main contract worth 839.1 billion KRW with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration for the 'Ulsan-class Batch-IV 1st and 2nd ships construction project,' which will proceed until December 2030.

This order is the final project of the 4th phase to replace the Ulsan-class frigates that have been in use since the 1980s, and a total of six Ulsan-class Batch-IV ships are planned to be constructed.

The 'smart frigate' Ulsan-class Batch-IV is a follow-up to the Ulsan-class Batch-III 5th and 6th ships previously ordered by Hanwha Ocean. Although there are no changes in displacement or external appearance, it is described as a virtually 'full-change' model differentiated from previous frigates.

Performance-enhancing equipment such as combat systems and four types of armaments, as well as new equipment including the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS)-II and Electronic Warfare Equipment-II, will be integrated into the system. Additionally, the ship design will consider manpower reduction in future operational environments with decreasing personnel resources, and plans to improve the operation and living convenience of the crew will be applied. It will also be equipped with a cyber security control system to respond to enemy cyber threats and advanced capabilities to counter unmanned aerial vehicle threats.

Hanwha Ocean plans to contribute to strengthening the Republic of Korea Navy's power and autonomous defense capabilities by successfully delivering the Ulsan-class Batch-IV 1st and 2nd ships following the Batch-III 5th and 6th ships. It is the only company that has constructed the entire lineup of the advanced domestically produced destroyer construction projects KDX-I, II, and III, which introduced new combat concepts since 2000.

Jo Yong-jun, Head of Domestic Sales Team for Special Ships at Hanwha Ocean, said, "While maintaining the technical continuity of the Ulsan-class Batch-III 5th and 6th ships, we will create a frigate never seen before based on the most advanced smart ship solutions."