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.
