Update: HHI to build first of second batch of KDX-III destroyers for RoKN

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) announced on 10 October that it has been awarded a KRW676.6 billion (USD573.5 million) contract for the “detailed design” and construction of the first of a second batch of three Sejong Daewang (KDX-III)-class guided-missile destroyers for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).

An artist impression of the first ship of a second batch of KDX-III-class guided-missile destroyers for the RoKN. (HHI)

The next-generation Aegis-equipped destroyer, which is set to be built at HHI’s facilities in Ulsan and be delivered to the navy by November 2024, will be 170 m long (4 m longer than the three KDX-III ships of the first batch), 21 m wide, and weigh 8,100 tonnes.

HHI said that this improved variant of the KDX-III (also KDX-3) class is expected to be capable of operating at speeds of up to 30 kt, feature a ballistic missile defence capability, and be equipped with improved anti-submarine warfare technology, such as a more powerful sonar to detect and track submarines at longer ranges.

The announcement comes after the US Department of State approved in May a potential USD313.9 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to South Korea of a further batch of Raytheon Standard Missile-2 Medium Range (SM-2MR) Block IIIB (RIM-66M-5) surface-to-air missiles along with related equipment and services.

Seoul had requested to buy up to 94 additional SM-2MR Block IIIBs and 12 MK 97 MOD 0 guidance sections for the missile, said the agency. The move followed an announcement made in December 2018 by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) that it would purchase additional SM-2MRs to arm the second batch of KDX-3-class guided-missile destroyers being developed for the RoKN.