The live exercise, conducted under the commander of the first fleet aimed on strengthening joint retaliation capability of the combined forces of the ROK military and establishing posture of deterrence against enemy’s provocations. Around ten naval vessels from the navy including the DDH-I Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers, FFG-I Incheon-class frigate, FFG-II Daegu-class frigate, PKG Yoon Youngha-class patrol vessel and P-3CK Maritime Patrol Aircraft took part in the exercise. Additionally, the AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter from the Army and KF-16 Fighters from the Air Force took part in the live-fire exercise. They both fired at maritime targets set up as enemy ground targets; the Apache fired AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and the KF-16 fired AGM-65 Mavericks.
The live-fire exercise simulated scenarios of enemy provocations in the air, at sea, and on land. The combined forces of the Army, Navy, and Air Force conducted live-firing of anti-aircraft, anti-ship, and surface-to-surface missiles. Through this exercise, the three military branches were able to check and enhance their missile operations and enemy engagement capabilities, and gain experience in conducting joint operations.
This exercise was meaningful in that it was the first time the SAAM-400K (K-SAAM) developed by LIG Nex1 was live-fired in an exercise conducted by the ROK Navy since its deployment in 2022. The latest vessel of the FFG-II Daegu-class frigate FFG 827 Chuncheon armed with K-SAAM targeted the approaching aerial drone target simulating enemy aircraft and missile, successfully shot down the incoming target drone.
Besides the SAAM-400K (K-SAAM), other guided weapon systems such as the renowned C-Star anti-ship missile, the Harpoon anti-ship missile, and the C-Dragon surface-to-surface missile were fired at a target ship and maritime targets. The PKG (Patrol Killer Guided-missile), armed with the C-Star anti-ship missile, and the DDH-I, equipped with the Harpoon anti-ship missile, both fired at the target ship, dealing devastating damage to the ship’s midship and superstructure. The FFG-I launched a C-Dragon surface-to-surface missile successfully striking the target zone. The C-Dragon missile is developed based on the C-Star missile, capable of targeting enemy ground objectives like coastal batteries and anti-ship missile units with its cluster warhead.
Samcheok East Coast Test Range and Korea-Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (K-CSSQT)
Finally, this exercise also marked the first pilot application of the Korea-Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (K-CSSQT). The K-CSSQT evaluates the performance of a ship’s combat system and the operational capabilities of its crew scientifically through data. It was introduced following the opening of the Samcheok East Coast Test Range by the Korea Agency for Defense Development (ADD) last year. The test range provides support for analyzing anti-air/anti-submarine training, conducting underwater radiated noise tests, and performing RCS (Radar Cross Section) testing. The center also operates two test ships (1,300-ton and 180-ton) to support exercises and plans to acquire a large 6,000-ton test ship by the end of 2026. This large test ship will feature two sections of KVLS-I and KVLS-II for testing guided weapons, test and training measurement equipment, Dynamic Positioning (DP) for maintaining the ship’s position during guided missile launches at sea, and facilities for operating vehicles equipped with guided missile launchers.
The FFG-II Chuncheon verified its missile readiness, launch, and strike capabilities at each stage of combat through the K-CSSQT. The analyzed evaluation data will be used for future training of ship crews and the development of naval doctrines.
