The ROK Marine Corps has launched its first-ever Fast Assault Craft, marking a historic milestone since the service’s establishment. Designed and built domestically, the new platform offers significantly enhanced speed, protection, and firepower compared to legacy RIBs, and is expected to strengthen rapid reaction and amphibious operations in forward areas.
On December 11, the ROK Marine Corps and Kangnam Corporation held a launch ceremony for the lead vessel of the ROK Marine Corps’ first Fast Assault Craft, HCB-001, at Kangnam Corporation’s Busan shipyard.
The ROK Marine Corps’ HCB (High-Speed Combat Boat) marks the first vessel to be introduced and operated by the ROK Marine Corps since its establishment. Compared to the legacy Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) currently in service, the new platform is designed as a dedicated combat vessel, offering higher speed, improved protection, and significantly enhanced firepower. The craft has been given the service name Cheongsaechi (Striped Marlin), reflecting its speed and combat agility.
Approximately 70 representatives from the ROK Marine Corps, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), and the shipbuilder Kangname Corporation attended the launch ceremony. Lt. Gen. Joo Il-seok, Commandant of the ROK Marine Corps, served as the guest of honor, deliverying congratulatory remarks.
“The Fast Assault Craft launched today is the first vessel ever introduced by the ROK Marine Corps and represents a concentration of South Korea’s advanced domestic shipbuilding capabilities and defense science and technology. Once operationally deployed, the platform will strengthen the role of the ROK Marine Corps in defending the nation and its people by enabling missions such as the rapid deployment of reinforcement forces.”
Lt. Gen. Joo Il-seok, Commandant of the ROK Marine Corps
While the overall design of the HCB bears some resemblance to the Swedish CB90, the Korean platform is slightly larger, measuring approximately 18 meters in length and 4 meters in beam. The vessel is equipped with 12.7mm Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), two K-16 machine guns (7.62mm x 51mm) enabling the delivery of effective firepower while enhancing crew survivability. Propulsion is provided by a waterjet system capable of achieving a maximum speed of up to 45 knots, while maintaining high maneuverability in shallow-water environments.
To further enhance survivability, ballistic protection has been applied to key areas of the vessel to protect both the crew and embarked assault troops. The HCB also features dedicated sections for deploying small inflatable boats, as well as ramps that allow Marines to rapidly disembark during amphibious or littoral operations.
With the acquisition of the Fast Assault Craft, the ROK Marine Corps expects to conduct faster, safer, and more efficient quick-reaction operations in the forward areas of the Five West Sea Islands compared to relying solely on Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs). The new platform is also expected to be employed in amphibious operations, including missions aimed at securing and establishing beachheads in contingency scenarios.
HCB is being domestically designed and constructed in South Korea. Following the signing of a construction contract with Kangnam Corporation in July 2024, the program progressed through a steel-cutting ceremony in May 2025 and a keel-laying ceremony in August 2025, culminating in the launch of the lead boat on December 11.
Following a period of testing and evaluation, the lead vessel is scheduled to be delivered to the ROK Marine Corps in December 2026, after which it will undergo a force integration process prior to entering full operational service.
