South Korea launched first project FFX frigate

10.05.2011 South Korean company Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) launched the first project FFX frigate, reports Korea IT Times. The ship was launched in Ulsan and obtained the name of Incheon. South Korean Navy is to use new frigate in antisubmarine warfare. According to current plans, Incheon will be completed afloat and then start half-year trials to be commissioned in mid-2013.

In all, South Korea plans to build six project FFX frigates. A $129.1-mln shipbuilding contract was signed with HHI late in 2008. Contracts for construction of second and third frigates were signed later. All six Incheon class frigates are supposed to be completed till 2015. New ships will replace nine obsolete Ulsan class frigates.

South Korean Navy plans to increase number of Incheon class frigates up to 19 till 2020. New 13 ships are supposed to replace 22 obsolete Pohang class frigates.

Displacement of Incheon class frigates makes 2,300 tons with the length of 114 meters and beam of 14 meters. The ships are capable to accelerate up to 30 knots and have operating range of 4,300 miles.

Frigate is armed with 127-mm gun Mk-45 Mod 4, 20-mm antiaircraft gun system Phalanx, air defense missile system RAM Block 1, four antiship missiles SSM-700K Hae Sung, four cruise missiles Hyunmoo-3 and torpedoes K745 LW Blue Shark. Air wing may consist of Westland Super Lynx or Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.