On July 26, Hanwha Ocean announced that it had been selected as the preferred bidder in the 2nd phase of the AOE-II Shipbuilding Project launched by the Republic of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Hanwha Ocean was the sole bidder for this program, worth 331 million USD. Following negotiations on terms, the main contract is expected to be signed in August. The second vessel is scheduled to be delivered around December 2028, after its construction and sea trials.
The Soyang-class fast combat support ship (AOE-II) is the ROK Navy’s latest logistics support vessel, capable of supplying ammunition, cargo, and fuel to ships in operation while at sea. With a displacement of 10,000 tons (light load), a length of 190 meters, a maximum speed of 24 knots, and a crew of 140, the Soyang-class can provide operational support for mobile task forces in distant waters. It has a navigational range of 5,500 nautical miles and is equipped with repair, medical support, and vertical replenishment capabilities. Its ability to maneuver at high speed allows it to navigate with the ROK Navy’s task squadrons, increasing the operational range and duration of Aegis destroyers under the Maritime Task Flotilla Seven.
The Soyang-class will replace the old Cheonji-class fast combat support ship (AOE-I), which has been operated by the ROK Navy since 1991. The AOE-II has a loading capacity of 11,050 tons, which is about 2.3 times greater than that of the AOE-I. It can directly load containers onto the hull, significantly increasing the loading speed of supplies. For survival, the Soyang-class is equipped with 20mm Phalanx CIWS and Rheinmetall MASS. Moreover, it features a flight deck and a helicopter hangar to facilitate vertical replenishment and personnel transport using helicopters. The lead vessel of the AOE-II was designed and built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and was delivered and commissioned in 2018. The second vessel will possess similar capabilities and systems as the lead vessel but will feature improvements based on the ROK Navy’s operational experience since 2018.
Over the years, the ROK Navy has significantly increased its fleet of large combat vessels, including destroyers and frigates, both in number and size. Consequently, the demand for combat support ships has become increasingly important in maintaining the fleet’s operational capability. As the ROK Navy aims to expand into a Blue-Water Navy, constructing support ships like the Soyang-class is strategically crucial for supporting large vessels such as the KDX-III Batch-II, along with future vessels like the KDDX and JSS, which will be integral to the fleet.
Hanwha Ocean commented on its exclusive bid for the 2nd phase of the AOE-II program,
Despite the high technical difficulty and complexity of constructing a combat support ship, Hanwha Ocean will undertake the construction with a sense of responsibility as a maritime defense company. We are committed to national defense and the safety of our citizens, approaching this project with a sense of duty to serve our country.
Soyang-class Fast Combat Support Ship (AOE-II)
Displacement: 10,000t (light load), 23,000t (full load)
Length: 190 meters
Beam: 25 meters
Draft: 8 meters
Crew: 140 personnel
Speed: 24knot (max), 15knot (cruise)
Propulsion: Combined diesel-electric and diesel (CODLAD)
Range: 5,500 nm
Supply Capacity: 11,000t (10,000t oil & 1,000t supplies)
Armament: Phalanx Block 1B 20mm CIWS x1
Countermeasure: Rheinmetall MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System)
Helicopter Hangar: can operate UH-60P or KUH
