Navy Holds Launching Ceremony for State-of-the-Art 3,600-Ton Frigate 'Jeonnam'

Delivery to the Navy Scheduled for December Next Year
Operational Deployment to Follow Integration Process

The Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration announced that a launching ceremony for the state-of-the-art frigate Jeonnam will be held on the afternoon of November 25 at SK Oceanplant in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province. The Jeonnam is the third vessel of the Ulsan-class Batch-III, designed to replace the Navy's aging frigates and patrol ships.

The ceremony will be attended by about 150 people, including Song Iljong, Chairman of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee, Kang Donggil, Chief of Naval Operations, Kang Hwansuk, Deputy Commissioner of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Lee Seungcheol, CEO of SK Oceanplant, as well as representatives from the Navy, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and the shipbuilder. In accordance with naval tradition, Song's wife, Lim Sunhee, will cut the launching line attached to the vessel as the guest of honor.

In his congratulatory speech, Chairman Song stated, "If a crisis threatening the Republic of Korea comes from the sea, just as the Geobukseon and Baekdusan did in the past, the Jeonnam and our Navy will steadfastly continue the nation's history of salvation." He added, "The successful deployment of advanced vessels like the Jeonnam will further enhance Korea's ship design and construction capabilities and export competitiveness, thereby strengthening the capabilities of K-Shipbuilding and making a significant contribution to the national economy."

The Jeonnam is the Navy's third 3,600-ton frigate, measuring 129 meters in length, 14.8 meters in width, and 38.9 meters in height. It is equipped with a 5-inch naval gun, the Korean Vertical Launching System (KVLS), anti-ship guided missile defense missiles, anti-ship guided missiles, tactical land-attack guided missiles, and long-range anti-submarine torpedoes as its main armaments. The vessel's combat system, considered its brain, as well as its major detection equipment and weaponry, are all domestically produced.

In particular, the Jeonnam is equipped with a domestically developed Multi-Function Phased Array Radar (MFR). This four-sided fixed multi-function phased array radar, similar to an Aegis radar, enables omnidirectional detection and tracking of air and surface targets, as well as simultaneous engagement of multiple aerial threats.

Colonel Lee Jangho, Acting Director of Planning and Management at Navy Headquarters, stated, "As the main escort ship of the fleet, the Jeonnam will accomplish its assigned missions and carry on the traditions of the Invincible Navy and the Jeonnam." He added, "We will continue to do our best to build a strong naval force based on advanced science and technology as the Invincible Navy of the people."

Meanwhile, the Jeonnam will undergo a period of test evaluation before being delivered to the Navy in December next year, after which it will go through the force integration process and be deployed for operations.