South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has for the first time shown their Ocean 4300 frigate design with an integrated Australian CEAFAR-2L radar suite in the Philippines, at the Asian Defence And Security Exhibition (ADAS 2024). The proposal appears in computer graphics only. The Australian-designed radar is not named in the presentation, but evident from its distinct panel configuration. The slides complement a previously known model of the Ocean 4300 shown at IODS 2024 in Perth, Western Australia.
As Naval News has reported previously, the Ocean 4300 represents an enlarged FFX Batch II-design. FFX Batch II is in service with the Korean Navy as the Daegu-class. Naval News already noted in coverage for IODS 2024 that the Ocean 4300 mast design shows significant similarity with the configuration found on Australian ANZAC-class frigates after receiving the CEAFAR-2L upgrade.
The new graphics now confirm this assumption by showing the trademark CEA panels present on the design. Specifically, the panels shown cover S- and L-band through dual CEAFAR phased array radar panels and X-band CEAMOUNT illuminators. Hanwha Ocean in their graphics does not specify the combat management system used for integration. Anzac-class frigates use the Saab 9LV for this purpose.
The graphics also reveal other specifications for Ocean 4300, only some of which were known before. Overall length of the design is 126 m, with a beam of 15.8 m and draft of 4.15 m. Displacement is 4,300 tons, as the moniker suggests. Ocean 4300 is capable of a maximum speed of 30 knots and achieves a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 15 knots. The ship has a complement of 90-100 sailors. Propulsion is of the hybrid CODLOG-variety. One gas turbine and four diesel generators connect to two electric permanent magnet motors driving two constant pitch propellers.
Armament includes a 32 cell Mk 41 VLS for SAM, ASW/ASROC weapons and land attack missiles. The ship also features two quadruple AShM launchers, a 127 mm Mk 45 main gun, a Phalanx-type CIWS and two triple launchers for lightweight torpedoes. The flight deck and hangar support a Seahawk Romeo-class helicopter. Beyond the Australian radar and a gun-related radar tracker the Hanwha Ocean frigate integrates a hull mounted sonar, towed array sonar and electro-optical tracking systems.
Company representatives present on the Hanwha Ocean booth at ADAS 2024 declined to comment on their frigate offer to Australia but confirmed that they are planning to offer the Ocean 4300 design to the Philippine Navy as part of the Horizon 3 frigate requirement.
Hanwha Ocean together with Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has emerged as one of two builders providing the most detailed and tailored offers for the Australian SEA 3000-requirement. The Japanese contender is offering an adaption of their “New FFM”-frigate succeeding Mogami-class frigates in procurement for JMSDF. MHI has renamed their offer “Upgraded Mogami”, supposedly to highlight its relationship to the existing design prominently named in the Australian procurement.
SEA 3000 aims to purchase up to eleven new “general purpose” frigates. The ships should use an existing design for rapid introduction with the Australian Navy. The initial three frigates are to be build abroad. Following units should see construction in Australia, including to a possibly modified configuration.
Naval News’ interview with Hanwha Ocean at ADAS 2024 focused on their submarine proposal to the Philippine Navy but Scott Koh comments te Ocean 4300 frigate at the end of the video:
