The South Koreans launched another FFX type frigate of the second series (Batch II), also known as Daegu. In total, they plan to build eight such ships.
At the shipyard of the Korean shipbuilding company Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. [...] the launch ceremony of the fifth FFX type frigate of the second series (Batch II) was held. The ship was given the name Daejeon and the tail number 823. It should be commissioned by the Republic of Korea Navy at the end of 2022.
The first ship of this type — Daegu-was launched in June 2016 and handed over to the Navy on March 6, 2018. The launch of the second ship of this type, designated Gyeongnam, was carried out in June 2019. The frigate was commissioned in January 2021. Both ships were built by specialists from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co.
Daejeon Frigate
Image source: navalnews
Two subsequent frigates of this type — Seoul and Donghae — were created by Hyundai Heavy Industries engineers. They were launched in November 2019 and April 2020, respectively. The two companies are to build a total of eight frigates of this type. South Korea is also implementing a program to create a new frigate FFX III with a displacement of more than 3,000 tons.
The Daegu-class frigates are an improved version of the Incheon-class ships (FFX I series). The FFX type frigate of the second series has a total displacement of 3,590 tons. The ship is 122 meters long and 14 meters wide.
FFG 818 Daegu type FFX frigate of the second series (Batch II)
Image source: DAPA
The FFX-class ships of the second series, in addition to the standard two four-container launchers of the Haeseong anti-ship missile system, are equipped with a sixteen-shot universal vertical KVLS launcher. Thanks to it, the ship can use Haeghung anti-aircraft missiles, Haeseong anti-ship complex, Hyunmoo III cruise missiles and Hong Sang Eo anti-submarine missiles. The frigate has an enlarged hangar that allows the use of a medium anti-submarine helicopter KAI Surion.
In recent years, the Republic of Korea's Navy has been rapidly strengthening: the supply of new frigates is only one aspect of rearmament.
Last year, the South Koreans launched a large non-nuclear submarine of the KSS-III project. And in 2021, Seoul finally decided to transform the LPH-II aircraft carrier project into a "full-fledged" aircraft carrier. According to the plan, it will be possible to operate several dozen American fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II fighters. In addition to them, the ship will carry helicopters.
