South Korea launches fourth Chungnam frigate, cuts steel for second logistics ship

South Korea's fourth Chungnam‑class frigate, seen here at its launch ceremony on 29 April 2026. (DAPA)

South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) marked two key naval shipbuilding milestones on 29 April, with the launch of the Republic of Korea Navy's (RoKN's) latest 3,600‑ton frigate and the start of construction of a second large logistics support ship.

In two separate statements issued on the same day, DAPA said the frigate Jeju (FFG‑832) was launched at SK Ocean Plant's shipyard in Goseong on the afternoon of 29 April.

Jeju is the fourth ship in the Chungnam‑class (FFX‑III) programme, with construction having started following the signing of a contract with SK Ocean Plant in October 2022.

The 3,600‑ton‑class frigate has an overall length of about 129 m and a beam of around 14.8 m. It is designed as a multirole surface combatant, with an emphasis on anti‑air and anti‑submarine warfare.

According to DAPA, Jeju is fitted with a domestically developed integrated sensor mast incorporating a four‑sided fixed multifunction phased‑array radar and an infrared search and track system, providing 360‑degree detection and tracking of air and surface targets.

The ship is armed with a 127 mm main gun, the Korean vertical launch system (K-VLS) for surface‑to‑air missiles, separate launchers for anti-ship missiles, and long‑range anti‑submarine torpedoes.

It also features a hull‑mounted sonar and a towed array sonar system and uses a hybrid propulsion system derived from the earlier Daegu‑class to reduce underwater radiated noise and enhance anti‑submarine performance, DAPA added.

Jeju is scheduled to be delivered to the RoKN in 2027 following sea trials.