South Korea Navy launches 3,600-ton frigate Chungnam.

According to information published by the South Korean MoD on April 10, 2023, the South Korean Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) held a launch ceremony for the new 3,600-ton frigate named ROKS Chungnam (FFG-828) at the Ulsan Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard.
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Ulsan class Batch III frigate Chungnam. (Picture source: South Korean MoD)

Chungnam (FFG-828) is the first vessel of the Ulsan-class Batch-III, designed to replace the older Frigate (FF) and Patrol Combat Corvette (PCC) currently in service in the South Korean Navy.

The domestically designed and constructed Chungnam began construction in 2021 after the contract was signed with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in March 2020.

As the first 3,600-ton frigate in the South Korean Navy, Chungnam has a length of 129 meters, a width of 14.8 meters, and a height of 38.9 meters. She is equipped with a 5-inch naval gun, a Korean-style vertical launch system, surface-to-air missiles, ship-to-ship missiles, tactical ship-to-ground missiles, and long-range anti-submarine torpedoes.

Chungnam is the first vessel to be equipped with a domestically developed multifunctional phased array radar (MFR), which enables the detection, tracking, and simultaneous engagement of multiple targets in air and on the surface.

The vessel's Integrated Sensor Mast (ISM) incorporates advanced stealth design and includes a four-sided fixed-phased array radar and infrared detection and tracking equipment.

The frigate's propulsion system employs a hybrid propulsion system to minimize underwater noise, and it is equipped with domestically developed hull-mounted sonar and towed array sonar systems (TASS) for superior anti-submarine capabilities.

The Chungnam is expected to be delivered to the South Korean Navy by the end of December 2024 after a period of testing and evaluation. Following its commissioning, the vessel will be deployed for operational duties.