South Korean Navy Takes Delivery Of First Daegu-class FFX-II Frigate

The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has officially taken delivery of the first of eight Daegu-class frigates, built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. and powered by Rolls-Royce, in a ceremony on Tuesday. 

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the lead ship of the new Daegu-class FFX-II frigate for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) on June 2, 2016. 

FFX-II is the first South Korean warship to be fitted with DRS Hybrid Electric Drive system, coupled with Rolls-Royce MT-30 gas turbine engine for CODLAG integrated full-electric propulsion. This configuration is shared with the US Navy's LCS and Zumwalt destroyers, as well as with the Royal Navy's QE aircraft carriers and future Type 26 GCS. In terms of engine technology and acoustic reduction technology, this makes FFX-II one of the most advanced and 'reduced accoustic signature' ASW frigates among western navies.

Eight Daegu-class frigates are scheduled to be built, the first and second ship is built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (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. 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,” said Don Roussinos, President of Naval Marine, Rolls-Royce Defence. 

The MT30 gas turbines for ships two, three and four are due to for delivery in the second half of this year. 

Rolls-Royce is also supplying four MTU 12V 4000 M53B engines per FFX-II vessel. The MTU gensets for the second FFX-II vessel will be delivered later this year. The engines have a mechanical output of 1,650 kW each. As an integral part of the CODLOG propulsion system, the purpose of the gensets is to provide both the electric power for the electric propulsion (E-motor) as well as the electric power to the switchboard for the vessel’s electrical load (onboard power). 

The MTU engines are delivered in partially knocked-down (PKD) condition to STX who locally assemble them in South Korea.