New 4,500-ton Landing Ship for S Korean Navy

South Korea's Navy will take delivery of a 4,500-ton landing ship featuring speedier and larger-load operations on Monday, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.

The handover ceremony of the Ilchulbong vessel will be held at the Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan, Korea Herald reported quoting Yonhap News Agency.

It will be the Navy's third Cheonwangbong-class landing ship (LST-II) following the Cheonwangbong and Cheonjabong vessels.

The 127-meter-long Ilchulbong can sail at the maximum speed of 23 knots, with more than 130 crew members onboard. It boasts a significant improvement in maneuver and transport support capabilities from the Navy's existing Gojunbong-class landing ships.

Its can carry high-speed landing boats, two armored vehicles and eight amphibious vehicles. It can accommodate two choppers and is equipped with an amphibious operation command center, according to the DAPA.

The South Korean Navy will The Navy will put the ship in operation after four months of training and other preparations.