South Korea - New coastal frigates: the FFX Incheon Class.

Hyundai Heavy Industries is being contracted to build two new frigates for South Korea’s navy. The $563 million order external link sees for the delivery of two FFX Batch II ships by 2023.

FFX Incheon Class coastal frigate (Picture source: Korean navy)

The ships will be the seventh and eight units within the Republic of Korean Navy’s coastal frigate program. The 2.800-ton vessels have a maximum speed of 30 knots and are equipped with naval guns and guided missiles.

These Batch II ships will be powered by a single 36-40MW MT30 turbine and all-electric propulsion. This hybrid electric drive propulsion system reduced the ships’ acoustic footprint, making it more effective in anti-submarine operations. The RoKN expects to commission up to eight FFX-II vessels.