The final Daegu-class FFX Batch II Frigate Chuncheon got its name from former LCI-103 Chuncheon (Landing Craft Infantry) that was acquired from the United States Navy (USN) back in 1946. The 1st generation Chuncheon served its purpose as a training ship until July 1956, where it was subsequently retired from active use. “The 2nd generation Chuncheon will again serve its purpose by defending the Korean seas rock solid”, as DAPA released in a statement.
Following the ship’s launch ceremony that took place in March 2022, ROKS Chuncheon has undergone various pre-delivery tests and modifications. ROKS Chuncheon will further boost the ROK Navy’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability against increasing threats from North Korea and nearby China. With this delivery, the ROK Navy has officially taken over all eight Daegu-class frigates that were originally ordered from HHI and former DSME (now Hanwha Ocean).
Daegu-class frigates, or FFX Batch II were jointly designed and built by South Korea’s two shipbuilding giants, Hanwha Ocean (formerly DSME) and HHI (Hyundai Heavy Industries). It has been in active use since the first ship got delivered in 2018, where it replaced most of aging Ulsan-class frigates and Pohang-class corvettes.
It is 122m in length, 14m in width, 35m in height and displaces 2800 tons when fully loaded. It is capable of cruising up to 30 knots or 55 kilometers per hour and carries one helicopter onboard for ASW operations.
Notable improvements from its predecessor Incheon-class frigate include improved sonar system from Hanwha Systems, named SQS-240K hull mounted sonar and SQS-250K towed array sonar respectively. Its CODLOG (Combined Diesel-Electric or Gas) propulsion system enables the ship to be quieter despite the increased displacement of roughly 2,800 tons. Hybrid propulsion system, which allows the ship to use gas turbine and electric propulsion motor at the same time dramatically reduced the underwater radiated noise footprint of the ship.
Another improvement is the firepower it possesses. Daegu-class frigates are fitted with 16-cell KVLS (Korean Vertical Launching System) which can deploy Haegung K-SAAM (Korean Surface to Air Anti Missiles) and Red Shark anti-submarine missiles and SSM-700K Haesong anti-ship missiles. All these missile systems are engineered by local company LIG Nex1. As for the gun system, it consists of 127mm Mk. 45 Mod 4 naval gun system by BAE Systems and Raytheon’s Phalanx Block 1B CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) for ship’s self-defense.
