ROK Navy to get its second PKX-B-class patrol craft.

The arms procurement agency has delivered an upgraded patrol boat to the South Korean Navy (RoK Navy) on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. Patrol Killer Experimental-B (PKX-B)-class fast attack craft is made for missions near the inter-Korean maritime border in the Yellow Sea.

RoK Navy’s first PKX-B “Chamsuri-211” patrol vessel (Picture source: HHIC)

It is the second PKMR boat delivered to the Navy to replace the existing 170-ton Chamsuri (Sea Eagle)-class vessels operating in waters near the Northern Limit Line. After some three months of testing, the new high-speed patrol boat will be put into operation, according to the Navy.

Patrol Killer Experimental-B (PKX-B)-class fast attack craft (with pennant number 212), built by local shipyard Hanjin Heavy Industries, proved to meet all military requirements, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The PKX-B class, has a full-load displacement of 300 tonnes, an overall length of 44 m, an overall beam of 7 m, and can accommodate a crew of 20. Powered by General Electric’s 6,000 shp LM 500 gas-turbine engines and Caterpillar Marine’s Cat C32 diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration, and propelled by waterjets, the platforms have a top speed of 40 kt.

The new model, equipped with advanced weapons systems, including 130-mm guided rockets and a 76-mm gun, boasts advanced capabilities of detecting targets and anti-aircraft defence, DAPA said, adding it carries around 20 crew members and has a maximum speed of 74 kilometres per hour.

The first craft of the class, which was given pennant number 211, was delivered to the navy in October 2017. The third and fourth vessels of the class are expected to be handed over before the end of the year.

Under the contract, HHIC is expected to deliver the four vessels by December 2022, according to the Yonhap News Agency. HHIC said that, with the latest deal, it now has orders from the RoKN for 16 of these vessels worth a total of KRW1.1 trillion. Additional orders are expected, possibly as part of a second batch.