South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Engineering (DSME) announced on November 14 it has been awarded a contract to build the fifth and sixth second-batch Daegu-class frigates for the Republic of Korea Navy.
Also referred to as FFX II, the frigates are an improved version of the Incheon-class (FFX) and are built by DSME and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
The contract announcement on November 14 follows the delivery of the first ship in class, ROKS Daegu, which was delivered by DSME to the navy in February this year. Frigates number five and six are scheduled to be delivered to the navy by the end of 2022.
DSME is building the first two, and ships number 5 and 6. HHI has been contracted for the construction of the third and fourth frigate, and will likely be responsible for the delivery of the seventh and the final, eighth ship in the class.
At 2,800 tons, Daegu-class ships displace 500 tons more than their predecessors and measure 122 meters in length.
The second batch frigates are being equipped with a 16-cell Korean vertical launching system for defense against air threats and six torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare. Powered by Rolls-Royce’s MT30 gas turbines, the frigates are capable of reaching speeds of 30 knots, according to DAPA.
Daegu and sister ships will carry a towed array sonar system (TASS) in addition to naval guns and a Phalanx close-in weapon system.
The frigates are intended for a variety of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, patrol, surveillance, search and rescue and exclusive economic zone protection.
A program to build the third batch (FFX III) frigates which will displace 3,000 tons and feature a phased array radar is also underway.