Republic of Korea Navy receives first Daegu-class frigate

Maritime March 5, 2018

Rolls-Royce has congratulated the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) following official handover of its first Daegu-class (FFX-II) frigate.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), South Korea’s defence procurement agency, made the presentation to RoKN in February. It is the first in an eight vessel programme.

Rolls-Royce is providing main propulsion power, in addition to controllable pitch propellers, for the first four FFX-II ships via its MT30 gas turbine. Crucially, the hybrid propulsion system has been specifically designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Eight Daegu-class frigates are to be built, the first of which comes courtesy of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME). A second vessel will also be built by DSME, while ships three and four will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) SNSD.

“We congratulate the Republic of Korea Navy on their first Daegu-class frigate. It’s really exciting to be part of DSME and HHI SNSD’s build programmes.” said Don Roussinos, President of Naval Marine at Rolls-Royce Defence.

“We are proud to be a part of revolutionising Korean naval history with the Daegu class – the largest and most capable frigate in the RoKN to use a single gas turbine in a compact package, made possible by the modern hull design and power of the Rolls-Royce MT30 GT – in its first application outside the UK and US markets.”

Rolls-Royce plans to deliver the MT30 gas turbines for ships two, three and four during the latter half of 2018. Already they are in service with US Navy’s Freedom class Littoral Combat Ship and Zumwalt class.

“The MT30 has become the ‘engine-of-choice’ for a growing number of nations, and was recently selected for the Italian Navy’s new Landing Helicopter Dock. We are expecting to announce further MT30 contracts in the near future,” concluded Roussinos.

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