FFX Batch-IV design to be based on FFX Batch-III frigates
According to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), on April 26, the 161st Defense Project Promotion Committee meeting held at the Ministry of Defense in Yongsan, approved the ‘Ulsan Class Batch – IV Project’ also known as FFX Batch-IV.
The ROK Navy and DAPA have been pushing for the FFX Batch-IV program, which is the successor to the FFX Batch-III ‘Chungnam’ class frigate, for a while. The FFX Batch-IV program plans to secure a total of six frigates with improved performance by 2032. The new frigates will share the same overall design of the FFX Batch-III ‘Chungnam’ class frigates.
Through the FFX Batch-IV program, the ROK Navy will see the replacement of its the ‘Pohang’ class corvette (PCC) and ‘Ulsan’ class frigates (FF), which are the backbone of the fleet, and the ‘Gwanggaeto’ class destroyer (DDH-I), which previously served as the flagship of the fleet.
Although the FFX Batch-IV will share a lot in common with the FFX Batch-III, the new frigates will feature four notable upgrades:
- Integration of armament systems,
- Localization of the Engineering Control System (ECS),
- A new EW suite known as “Electronic Warfare Equipment for Ship-II”
- CIWS-II.
The FFX Batch-IV frigate’s integration of armament system upgrade is collectively controlled by the combat management system, providing faster operation capabilities. There are four types of armaments mentioned: SSM-700K C-Star AShM, SAAM-400K, Red Shark anti-submarine missile, and Tactical Surface Launch Missile (TSLM).
Engineering Control System (ECS) controls and monitors the ship’s propulsion system so that the ship can perform its duties stably.
Hanwha Systems announced on August 8, 2023, that it has secured core technologies that can be applied to various propulsion systems, verified suitability of ship mounting, and secured ECS technologies.
This interesting move is believed to have been evaluated by the ROK Navy and Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) as the FFX Batch-III ‘Chungnam’ class frigate has sufficient capacity to escort South Korea’s current and future coastal defense and fleet.
The FFX Batch-III ‘Chungnam’ class frigate is superior to any other frigate currently in service in the Korea fleet. Based on this capability, it is believed that it will be able to easily replace the ‘Gwanggaeto Great’ class destroyer.
The preceding FFX Batch-II Daegu-class is equipped with a hybrid propulsion system (electric motor + gas turbine motor) to significantly reduce noise. It is also said to have superior anti submarine capability and viability compared to existing destroyers, as it is capable of detecting submarines from a long distance with TASS and can attack submarines with long range Red Shark anti-submarine missile.
The FFX Batch-III ‘Chungnam’ class frigate is operating an improved TASS, and the radar comes in four fixed array configuration (‘GaN’ Full-Digital AESA radar) that is stronger than the ‘Daegu’ class rotating 3D radar.
This Full-Digital radar is applied with DTRB to form multi digital beams, providing strong combat capabilities in all environments and situations. The radar is fitted on the integrated mast, and the integrated mast is equipped with high resolution IRST and EOTS.
The Electronic Warfare Equipment for Ship-II is a follow-up project of Korea’s electronic warfare system for SONATA ships.
The Electronic Warfare Equipment for Ship-II will have a better ability to detect, identify and neutralize electromagnetic wave information from enemy radars or anti-ship guided missile probes than the existing SONATA (Sea Operation system for Navy Acquisition & Tactical Attack).
The equipment is equipped with the latest digital electronic technology and intelligent algorithms to expand the detection frequency range and increase accuracy.
The FFX Batch-III ‘Chungnam’ class frigate will feature LIG Nex1’s CIWS-II. The feature of CIWS-II is that it uses a stealth shape to reduce the RCS as much as possible, and also adopts AESA radar for both detection and tracking radars. The AESA radar was based on the KF-21’s AESA radar. According to DAPA, CIWS-II is expected to boast advanced performance against aircraft, drones, and supersonic anti-ship missiles compared to existing CIWS systems, and operates to enable close water defense against small watercraft and penetrating high-speed boats.
According to the DAPA committee, the CIWS-II project period, including the final mass production, will run until 2036, with a total project cost of about 895.7 billion won.
