HD HHI at the Indian Ocean Defense and Security Conference in Perth, Western Australia, highlighted their established track record sending the FFX 3 batch frigate design for the Korean Navy (ROKN). In addition, the builder placed a significant focus on their industrial expertise by offering naval combatants both domestically and abroad.
Hyundai’s presentation at IODS 2024 was in stark contrast to domestic rival Hanwha Ocean. Hanwha gave one of the most elaborate presentations at the event, focusing on both existing and proposed products. In contrast, HD HHI instead hosted a more confidential presence, their cabin completely enclosed. The shipyard in this context also provided Maritime News with an overview on their current global activities and an overview of the FFX Batch 3 as the latest frigate design under procurement for the Korean Navy.
FFX Batch III Chungnam in the context of SEA 3000
The Australian “Independent Review” designated as the FFX 2 batch, known in Korean Navy service as the Daegu-class and FFX Batch 3, or Chungnam-class, as “example” along with the Japanese Mogami, the Spanish Alfa 3000 and the German MEKO A-200. Therefore, the Chungnam-class frigate is a candidate for the acquisition of Australia’s SEA 3000 requirement for 11 general purpose combatants. Compared to the Daegu, the Chungnam class represents a further evolution of the original Incheon-class frigate delivered to Korea under the broader FFX effort.
Basic specifications for the Chungnam are a length of 129 meters, a beam of 14.8 meters, a standard displacement of 3,500 tonnes and a full load displacement of 4,300 tonnes. The ship has a crew of about 120, compared to 140 on the previous Incheon and Daegu variants. In this context, it is worth noting that the Philippine Navy’s Jose Rizal class, a modified Incheon design, carries a complement of up to 110 personnel. The different figures illustrate a certain amount of slowdown in the base model, depending on the exact requirements of the customer.
Korean-made hardware is a key attribute of FFX Batch 3
Armament at Chungnam meets the requirements of the Korean Navy for maximum use of indigenously developed technologies. The frigate carries a 16-cell VLS missile of the K-VLS type. The main air defense missile is K-SAAM, a short-range missile primarily developed to replace the RIM-116 RAM on Korean Navy ships. K-SAAM supports quad packing for K-VLS. The anti-ship missile system is the Korean SSM-700 C-Star, effectively an indigenous equivalent to the Harpoon. The Chungnam carries the AShM in two quadruple box launchers forward of the hangar. Weapons carried include an American Mk 45 5-inch gun in the bow and indigenously developed seven-barrel CIWS-II 30mm in the hangar.
Flexible propulsion and innovative sensor mast
The Chungnam class, similar to the earlier Daegu, features combined electric diesel or gas turbine (CODLOG) propulsion. This arrangement provides diesel-electric drive modes for low speed and noise requirements, adding the gas turbine for blast and top speed. In both Daegu and Chungnam the diesel engines are MTU models, while the gas turbine is a Rolls Royce MT30.
The so-called integrated I-Mast sensor mast is definitely the standout feature on the Chungnam. of Mast developed by Hanwha it carries a GaN S-band active electronic radar via four fixed panels. The design presented at Chungnam further includes an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor. The I-Mast also offers additional growth potential for adding an X-band radar in addition to various ESM systems.
HHI’s export and general industrial expertise as key strengths
In addition to showcasing FFX Batch III itself, HHI highlighted their industrial prowess. The builder also focused on the current collaboration with two international partners. Hyundai expects to deliver the first Chungnam-class frigate to the Korean Navy in December this year. KS Woo, senior vice president of HD HHI, highlighted the four-year delivery timeframe from contract signing to Chungnam’s handover to the Korean Navy. Woo also pointed out that delivery to an export customer can be achieved in just 40 months. The HHI official stressed that the company was prepared to meet any delivery request that a hypothetical customer would make.
The HHI is currently in the process of execution a significant acquisition program for the Philippine Navy. PN has already purchased two Jose Rizal class frigates. In addition, the Philippines will purchase two corvettes and six offshore patrol vessels from HD HHI. The Korean builder has also recently won a naval contract in Peru. Under the agreement, HHI will provide support for the domestic production of one frigate, one OPV and two naval vessels. The executing partner is the Peruvian state-owned Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA). The Peruvian agreement may serve as a precedent for HHI’s collaboration with an Australian entity in support of SEA 3000.
Watch our video interview with HD HHI at IODS 2024: