Armée Sud Coréene/Republic of Korea Armed Forces ( RoKAF )

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Citation :

DATE:25/03/09
SOURCE:Flight International
Elbit Systems lands helmet-mounted display deal with South Korea
By Arie Egozi

Elbit Systems has received a contract to supply advanced helmet-mounted display systems for the South Korean army's Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) programme.

Under the deal, Elbit will supply prime contractor Korea Aerospace Industries with equipment for its ongoing development effort, which is expected to lead to the manufacture of up to 250 tactical transport helicopters. The Israeli company's initial contract covers those development aircraft due to be delivered in 2009-10, but it believes the agreement could lead to follow-on orders to equip the entire KUH fleet and additional military rotorcraft.

"We believe this selection will lead to further head-up display projects in South Korea and worldwide," says Yoram Shmuely, co-general manager of Elbit's Aerospace Division.

Elbit says its helmet-mounted display systems enable helicopter pilots to fly with their "head out of the cockpit", boosting situational awareness and safety by projecting essential flight data, plus navigation waypoints and threat data into their line of sight.

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Republic of Korea Armed Forces

Republic of Korea Army K21 infantry fighting vehicle.

ROK Army currently operates about 400 K21 IFVs. I hope they'll be equipped with Raybolt ATGM soon.

PHOTOS:

 

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Republic of Korea Armed Forces

K30 Biho self-propelled anti-aircraft guns from the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division conducting live fre exercise (2019.09.18)


 

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MADEX 2019: New 2,000 Tons Attack Submarine Joins DSME Portfolio




The « DSME2000 » is « a new generation submarine. As you know, we have experience in manufacturing and delivering submarine, » Jejun Park, Principal Engineer, told Naval News. Leveraging its know how acquired with both the 1,400 tons design offered to the Indonesian Navy, and the latest technologies acquired with the domestic KSS III project DSME came up with this new medium size submarine. « This is just a finished conceptual design which can be customized, » added Park.

This 2,000 ton-class submarine is powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system with AIP and « the latest Lithium-Ion batteries », allowing a maximum submerged speed of 20 knots and a maximum surface speed of 10 knots. The range 10,000 nautical miles at cruising speed. The DSME2000 has a length of 70,3 m and a diameter of 6,3 m. It accommodates a crew of 40, including 10 « guests », which means that the submarine would be able to sustain Special Forces operations.

The DSME 2000 submarine features a flexible weapon launching system adapted « upon customer demand ». It first relies on 8 torpedo tubes with a total of 16 torpedoes, including 8 spare units.

The masts suite includes optronic, radar, ESM, SATCOM, Snorkel and up to two communication hoistable masts. The sensor suite is based on Cylindrical Hydrophone Array, Intercept Detection and Ranging Sonar, Own Noise Analysis, Flank Array Sonar, Passive Ranging Sonar, Active Operation Sonar and Towed Array Sonar.

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/madex-2019/2019/10/madex-2019-new-2000-tons-attack-submarine-joins-dsme-portfolio/

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MADEX 2019: DSME Lifts Veil On New DW2000L Light Frigate Design




DSME’s new multipurpose light frigate project features a unique flexible modularity design which allows the customer to easily build a tailor-made solution. « In the rapidly changing naval environment, it is only when you can cope with every tasks that you can win, » explains DSME. The Korean shipmaker is proposing four optimized models to meet the customer specifications in term of speed, range, length, crew and mission:

A 105m-long variant powered by a CODAD propulsion system allowing a maximum speed of 29 knots. She accommodates a crew of 108.
A 100m-long variant powered by a CODAD propulsion system allowing a maximum speed of 27 knots. She accommodates a crew of 90.
A 100m-long variant powered by two diesel-electric propulsion systems allowing a maximum speed of 24.5 knots. She accommodates a crew of 108.
A shorter 96.6m-long variant also powered by two diesel-electric propulsion systems allowing a maximum speed of 24.5 knots. She accommodates a crew of 90.
DSME only disclosed detailed specifications for the 100 meters / 90 strong crew variant, which would have a displacement of 2,800 tons and an endurance of around 5,000 nm at 15 knots.

Besides accommodation and propulsion, each of the variant is fitted with a stern multi-mission bay in which the customer may install four different modules receiving either a RHIB and a containerized Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, a RHIB and a multi-purpose container, a Towed Array Sonar, or finally a containerized UUV and a multi-purpose container. A fifth mission module is fitted amidship for the storage and launch of up to two Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The DW2000L Mission Modularity concept proposed by DSME allows the customer to choose its module from a wide range of weapons and sensors, such as the NS200 Long Range AESA Naval Radar designed by Thales Nederland or the 20 mm Narwhal naval gun from Nexter Systems. The same philosophy has been preferred for the main armament, which may consists of 40 to 127 mm naval gun systems. For the vertical launch system, the customer can choose between an 8-cell or a 16-cell system installed behind the naval gun. Different packages and configurations provides the Navies with all the necessary mission systems required to perform Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Air Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare.

Thanks to an extremely modular design, the New Light Frigate allows easy maintenance and future upgrades, such as a more powerful electrical power and a larger tank capability, says DSME. The possibility of software upgrades will ensure that the New Light Frigate meets the customer’s future operational requirements.

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/madex-2019/2019/10/madex-2019-dsme-lifts-veil-on-new-dw2000l-light-frigate-design/

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MADEX 2019: HHI Unveils HCX-19 Concept Ship


HCX-19 stands for Hyundai Combatant eXperimental 2019. It was created to show HHI’s vision of what surface combatants will look like in the 2030ies and its design relies on two concepts.

The first concept is the drone mothership. HHI expects that surface combatants will need to be able to deploy unmanned systems in all domains: Air (UAV), Surface (USV), Sub-surface (UUV) and that these vessels will even need to be able to deploy remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

HCX-19 pushes the “drone mothership” concept (which already started to emerge in Singapore, Europe, United States and even Russia) to the extreme as it features four folding decks (located right below the integrated mast). These folding decks are used to deploy up to 8 (2 per folding deck) quad-rotor drones. HHI envisions that these drones could benefit the HCX-19 in many ways including situational awarness, self protection (with suicide drones against asymmetric threats), act as communication relay or even serve as decoys.

The other major concept that HHI is trying to convey with the HCX-19 is that the notion of “ship class” is likely to disappear and today’s corvette, frigates and destroyers will likely be merged into a single class of ship in the 2030ies: The drone mothership surface combatant that can conduct a wide range of other missions (such as mine laying or mine counter measures or search and rescue…). This would allow navies to procure 7 true multi-mission vessels instead of a fleet of 15 specialized vessels composed of corvettes, frigates, MCM vessels etc…

With these two concepts in mind, HHI started designing the HCX-19 from a clean sheet. It features a wave piercing bow (inverted bow, similar to the Zumwalt-class destroyer or Naval Group’s FTI/Belharra frigate, or HHI’s own KDDX design being proposed for the ROK Navy and also unveiled at MADEX 2019).

The design also features two mission bays: One located amidship (which can deploy two USVs), the other one below the helicopter deck (which can accommodate four mission modules in containers).


In terms of weapon systems, the scale model features a 76mm main gun by Leonardo (in its anti-air variant, able to fire Strales AAW ammunition), a laser weapon between the main gun and the bridge, remote weapon stations and MASS decoy launchers on the bridge wings, 4x NSM launchers (similar to those found aboard the Norwegian Navy’s Skjold-class), 16x VLS cells and a Millenium gun as CIWS.

The sensor suite consists in a hull mounted sonar and integrated mast combining S and X band as well as an IRST.
Sensor and weapon systems configuration can be adapted according to customer requirements.

Last but not least, HHI told Naval News that while HCX-19 is a concept ship and does not have actual specifications, they envision such as future vessel to have a length of about 110 meters, a displacement of 3500 to 4000 tons and a crew complement of less than 100 sailors.

















https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/madex-2019/2019/10/madex-2019-hhi-unveils-hcx-19-concept-ship/

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South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co (DSME) announced that it has received a contract for the design and construction of an upgraded Changbogo III (KSS-III) submarine for the Republic of Korea Navy.
The class is also referred to as the Dosan Ahn Changho-class, after the lead boat which was launched in 2018 and started trials in 2019.

While the shipbuilder did not specify, the 1.1 trillion won (approx. US$926 million) contract could be for design work on the second batch of the largest subs to be built in South Korea.
The Batch II Dosan Ahn Changho-class are expected to incorporate further upgrades such as the locally developed lithium-ion battery system that would enable them to stay submerged for extended periods of time. They will also have improved sonar and combat systems performance.
What is more, the second batch is expected to have 10 vertical launch cells, compared to 6 on the first batch of submarines.
A total of nine indigenously built KSS III diesel-electric attack submarines are planned for construction at DSME and Hyundai Heavy Engineering. They are part of the ROK Navy’s attack submarine program which, once complete, will equip the service with a total of 27 submarines



https://navaltoday.com/2019/10/11/dsme-lands-rok-navy-kss-iii-submarine-design-construction-contract/

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Republic Of Korea Submarine Lee Sun-Sin sails in formation with HMAS Sheean for the commencement of the sea phase during Exercise Pacific Reach 2019.
A major international submarine search and rescue exercise involving units from Australia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States was recently held off the coast of Western Australia.

Perspective is a bit misleading in this photo, is almost three times larger than the Lee Sun-Sin (1200 tons vs 3400). It really shows if you see both of them alongside.

Petite visite d'un AH-64E sud-coréen. Je le vois comme si c'est le nôtre dans quelques années, je me projette

Citation :

KAI to update Link 16 datalink for RoKAF’s FA-50 aircraft

Gabriel Dominguez, London - Jane's Defence Weekly

06 December 2019


South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to update the Link 16 tactical datalink system for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (RoKAF’s) fleet of FA-50 light attack aircraft.

In a 6 December statement DAPA said the "FA-50 Link 16 Performance Improvement Project" aims to enhance security in the encryption system and harden [it] against interference, said DAPA, pointing out that it also plans to sign contracts in the first half of 2020 for similar updates to be performed on nine other platform types, including E-737 airborne early warning and control aircraft, F-15K fighters and KDX-III Aegis-equipped destroyers.

https://www.janes.com/article/93049/kai-to-update-link-16-datalink-for-rokaf-s-fa-50-aircraft

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  Hanwha Defense awarded contract for additional K55A1 SPHs for RoKA

Gabriel Dominguez, London - Jane's Defence Weekly

30 December 2019


South Korean company Hanwha Defense announced on 30 December that it has been awarded a KRW137.4 billion (USD119 million) contract for
the production of the fifth batch of K55A1155 mm tracked self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) for the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA).


Hanwha Defense announced on 30 December that it was awarded a USD119 million contract for the production for the fifth batch of K55A1s for
the RoKA. (Hanwha Defense)

The company stated that the contract, which was signed with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), is expected
to be completed by 30 October 2022, according to local media.

The number of K55A1s set to be handed over to RoKA under the latest contract was not disclosed.
 

Exercice naval - 10 Janvier 2020

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Transfers of major weapons: Deals with deliveries or orders made for 2019 to 2019
Note: The ‘No. delivered’ and the ‘Year(s) of deliveries’ columns refer to all deliveries since the beginning of the contract. The ‘Comments’ column includes publicly reported information on the value of the deal. Information on the sources and methods used in the collection of the data, and explanations of the conventions, abbreviations and acronyms, can be found at URL .

Source: SIPRI Arms Transfers Database
Information generated: 14 March 2020


France
R: South Korea 214 EC155 Helicopter 2015 LCH-LAH version; delivery planned from 2021
    4 16PC2.5 Diesel engine (2015) For 1 Dokdo AALS produced in South Korea

Germany
R: South Korea 6 Type-214 Submarine 2008 2014-2019 (5) 'KSS-2' programme
    (1306) MTU-881 Diesel engine (1998) 1999-2019 (1210) For K-9 self-propelled guns and K-10 ALV produced in South Korea
    14 MTU-4000 Diesel engine (2017) For 7 FFX-2 (Daegu) frigates produced in South Korea
    90 Taurus KEPD-350 ASM 2018 2019 (45) For F-15K combat aircraft; KEPD-350K version; delivery planned 2019-2020

Israel
R: South Korea 1 EL/M-2248 MF-STAR Multifuntion radar (2015) For 1 Dokdo AALS produced in South Korea
    2 EL/M-2080 Green Pine Air search radar (2019) KRW330 m ($292 m) deal; Green Pine Block-C version

Spain
R: South Korea 4 A-330 MRTT Tanker/transport ac 2016 2018-2019 (4) 'KC-X' programme

United Kingdom
R: South Korea (8 ) Trent-700 Turbofan 2016 2018-2019 (8 ) For 4 A330 MRTT tanker/transport aircraft from Spain
    3 MT-30 Gas turbine 2017 For 3 FFX-2 (Daegu) frigates produced in South Korea
    4 MT-30 Gas turbine (2018) For 4 FFX-2 (Daegu) frigates produced in South Korea

United States
R: South Korea 4 RQ-4A Global Hawk UAV 2014 2019 (1) $657 m deal (incl production of components in South Korea); RQ-4B Block-30 version
    8 Mk-15 Phalanx CIWS (2012) 2018 1 Phalanx Block-1B version for 8 Daegu (FFX-2) frigates produced in South Korea
    (6) F135-100 Turbofan 2014 2018-2019 (4) Spares for F-35A combat aircraft
    40 F-35A Litening-2 FGA aircraft 2014 2018-2019 (16) KRW7.3 tr ($7 b) 'FX-3' programme (offsets incl technology transfer); delivery planned 2018-2021
    9 Mk-15 Phalanx CIWS 2014 2018 2 $123 m deal; Phalanx Block-1B version for Incheon (FFX) frigates and AOE-2 support ships produced in South Korea
    134 APG-83 SABR Combat ac radar (2015) For modernization of 134 F-16 combat aircraft; delivery planned by 2025
    (32) C32 Diesel engine (2015) 2017-2019 (8 ) For 16 PKX-B FAC produced in South Korea
    32 LM-500 Gas turbine (2015) 2017-2019 (8 ) For 16 PKX-B FAC produced in South Korea
    (136) MIM-104F PAC-3 ABM 2015 2017-2019 (136) $769 m deal
    2 Mk-15 Phalanx CIWS (2015) For 1 Dokdo AALS produced in South Korea
    8 Patriot PAC-3 SAM/ABM system (2015) 2017-2019 (6) South Korean Patriot PAC-2 SAM system rebuilt to Patriot PAC-3 SAM/ABM system
    (240) F414 Turbofan (2016) For KFX combat aircraft produced in South Korea
    3 SPY-1D Air search radar 2016 For 3 KDX-3 destroyers produced in South Korea
    (17) Standard Missile-2MR SAM (2016) SM-2MR Block-3B version
    (7) Mk-45-4 127mm Naval gun (2017) For 7 FFX-2 (Daegu) frigates produced in South Korea
    60 AIM-9X Sidewinder SRAAM 2018
    (542) GBU-39 SDB Guided bomb (2018) 2019 (271)
    GMLRS Guided rocket 2018 Delivery by 2020
    Standard Missile-2MR SAM (2018) For KDX-3 destroyers; selected 2018 but not yet ordered by end-2019
    89 AGM-65 Maverick ASM (2019)
    12 LM-2500 Gas turbine (2019) For 3 Sejong the Great (KDX-3 Batch-2) destroyers produced in South Korea
    (64) MIM-104F PAC-3 ABM (2019)
    6 P-8A Poseidon ASW aircraft 2019
 

Citation :

South Korean MND eyes KUS-FS UAV for RoKA Ground Operations Command

Dae Young Kim, Seoul - Jane's International Defence Review

29 March 2020


KAL’s KUS-FS prototype was unveiled to the public at the ADEX 2019 exhibition. The type has been selected to be the future
Mid-Altitude UAV for the South Korean air force and army. Source: Dae Young Kim


The South Korean Minstry of National Defense (MND) is planning to procure a new reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) Ground Operations Command (GOC), MND officials said in early March.

According to the MND, between two and three complete systems comprising a total of about 10 Mid-Altitude UAVs (MUAVs) and associated ground support equipment will be introduced to boost the RoKA's long-range airborne surveillance capabilities.

The MUAV is based the Korean Air Aerospace Division (KAL-ASD)'s KUS-FS medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UAV design and is being developed for the RoK Air Force (RoKAF) at a cost of KRW488.4 billion (USD402.7 million) under the supervision of the MND's Agency for Defense Development (ADD).

According to official specifications released by KAL-ASD, the baseline KUS-FS design has a length of 13 m and a wingspan of 25 m. The company declined to provide details of its performance but the air vehicle is understood to be powered by a 1,200hp turboprop engine that enables it to reach a service ceiling of 13,000 m (42,650 ft) and stay aloft for periods in excess of 24 hours.

KAL-ASD is responsible for the MUAV programme's platform development and production, while Hanwha Corporation is developing its electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) system. LIG Nex1 is developing a new synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and is also partnering with KAL-ASD on the air vehicle's avionics systems.

According a KAL-ASD official, the MUAV was able to accurately identify a specific seat within the Seoul Sports Complex from a distance of about 130 km.

Defence minister Jeong Kyeong-doo said during the MND operation review at Gyeryong city on 21 January that the MUAV development has been completed and is ready for mass production following extensive operational test and evaluation (OT&E) with the RoKAF since 2019.
 

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RoKAF to upgrade KF-16s with new IFF, datalink

Gareth Jennings, London - Jane's Defence Weekly

30 March 2020


The RoKAF is looking to equip its KF-16s with new identification friend or foe (IFF) and datalink systems as part of a wider upgrade.
Source: US Air Force


South Korea is to integrate advanced identification friend or foe (IFF) and datalink systems onto its Lockheed Martin KF-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft as part of a wider upgrade of the type.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 30 March that the State Department had approved the sale of Mode 5 IFF and Link 16 Tactical Datalink (TDL) systems to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) for fitting aboard its F-16 Block 32 aircraft.

Including associated equipment, training, support, and other services, the total estimated cost of the sale is USD194 million.

"The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its interoperability with US Air Force and other coalition forces through an improved datalink and Mode 5 IFF, producing a more effective alliance for its F-16 fleet. The Republic of Korea will have no difficulty in absorbing this upgrade into its armed forces," the DSCA said in its approval notification.
 

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South Korea planning to upgrade RoKA’s K1A2 MBTs

Dae Young Kim, Seoul - Jane's Defence Weekly

06 April 2020


South Korea’s DATQ has announced that it is planning to upgrade the RoKA’s K1A2 MBTs Source: Dae Young Kim


The South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) is planning to improve the overall performance of the Republic of Korea Army's (RoKA's) K1A2 main battle tanks (MBTs) as part of an upgrade programme.

The Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DATQ) announced in March that it will conduct "advanced research" between June and October 2020 to determine how best to enhance the platform's performance in a number of areas.

Among the upgrades the agency is looking into is the installment of a situational awareness system to allow the crew to better monitor the battlefield situation from inside the vehicle. In addition, a thermal periscope for the driver is expected to be installed.

The agency is also looking to increase the platform's protection against anti-tank missiles by removing the existing armour and installing a new high-performance special armour. Moreover, the DATQ is considering equipping the tank with an active defence system capable of intercepting such missiles.

To improve manoeuverability, the tank's existing hydro-pneumatic suspension will likely be replaced with an in-arm suspension unit (ISU) similar to that used by the RoKA's K2 MBT. Moreover, an auxiliary generator will be installed, and the engine's output is expected to be increased, although it is undecided as to whether this will happen by upgrading the existing engine or installing a more powerful one.

The crew's protection against chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) threats is set to be enhanced through a combined environmental control system that will moderate the temperature within the vehicle.

The DATQ is also examining the feasibility of a remote weapon station. If integrated into the commander's sight, this would not only further enhance situational awareness but also provide the commander with the ability to engage some targets independently of the gunner.

Citation :

Kia Motors Awarded $1.4Billion Trucks Contract from South Korean Army

 10:15 AM, April 14, 2020


Kia Medium Standard Vehicle pair

Kia Motors signed a contract Monday to supply next-generation tactical trucks (medium-sized standard vehicles) worth ₩1.7 trillion ($1.4 billion) with the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army Headquarters.

These trucks are based on Hyundai Pavise vehicle and come in 5 tons and 2.5 tons variants. Approximately 10,000 trucks will be acquired to replace the army’s existing K511 (KM250) and K711 (KM500) trucks, the ROK Army announced on its social media page.

Delivery will start in 2024. It is not stated by when the 10,000 trucks target would be achieved.

In October 2019, the ROK Army Headquarters shortlisted Kia Motors and Hanwha Defense, as the final bidders; it selected Kia Motors through internal evaluation, local media, wowtv.co.kr reported.

Hanwha Defense challenged the selection in court claiming that evaluation was not properly conducted, but the court dismissed the application.

A Kia Motors official told wowtv, "Kia Motors is currently selected and has entered into a contract with the Army Headquarters to proceed with the business."

Hanwha Defense has appealed and a second provisional disposition is pending, the report said. However, an Army source told wowtv, "the contract between Kia Motors and the Army was signed because the contract could not not delayed, and the business is separate from the lawsuit."


Kia Motors Medium Size Standard Vehicle bullet proof version on display at an exhibition in Seoul


A bullet-proof version of the medium-sized standard vehicle is planned to transport troops. The up-armoured version is reported to be able to withstand 7.62 mm rounds besides low-grade IEDs. Kia has plans to offer the truck for exports after meeting the requirements of the ROK Army.

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/26738/Kia_Motors_Awarded__1_4Billion_Trucks_Contract_from_South_Korean_Army#.XpYgS6Yw_IU

K9 SPG

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Coronavirus : La Corée du Sud réduit son budget de défense DR


 17/04/2020 13:31 | La rédaction

Coronavirus : La Corée du Sud réduit son budget de défense


Le gouvernement sud-coréen décide de réduire de 2 % le budget de défense initialement prévu pour 2020 et qui s'inscrivait sur une hausse de 7,4 %. L'avion de combat F-35 en est la première victime.


Moins que prévu pour la défense

Conséquence de la mobilisation budgétaire pour amortir les conséquences économiques de la pandémie de coronavirus ou covid-19, le gouvernement sud-coréen, par la voix de son ministre de l'Economie et des finances, annonce une réduction du budget de défense initialement programmé pour l'année 2020. Ce budget avait été bâti sur une hausse de 7,4 % pour s'élever à 41 Md$. Il baissera finalement de 2 %, soit près de 740 M$ de moins que prévu. Sur ce total, les réductions portent essentiellement sur les achats d'équipements de matériels programmés, soit 582 M$.

F-35 et Aegis

Dans la même temps, le ministère sud-coréen de la Défense a commencé de négocier avec Lockheed Martin le report des paiements prévus sur les avions de combat F-35 acquis par la Corée du Sud ainsi que sur le système combat Aegis qui associe radars haute puissance et missiles anti-navires et missiles anti-aérien.

https://www.air-cosmos.com/article/coronavirus-la-core-du-sud-rduit-son-budget-de-dfense-22948

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 South Korea completes deliveries of KM-SAM Block-1 system to RoKAF

Gabriel Dominguez, London and Dae Young Kim, Seoul - Jane's Defence Weekly

28 April 2020


The self-propelled Cheongung SAM system consists of at least one launcher (capable of carrying up to eight missiles), a
command-and-control centre, and a multifunction radar. Source: DAPA



South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on 28 April that deliveries of the Cheongung Korean medium-range surface-to-air missile (KM-SAM or M-SAM) Block-1 system to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) have been completed.

In a statement DAPA said the final units of the self-propelled system, which has a stated maximum range of 40 km and - along with the Block-2 variant - is intended to replace the RoKAF's MIM-23 HAWK (locally known as Cheolmae) SAM systems, were handed over in April.

The Cheongung Block-1, which was first was deployed with the RoKAF's Air Defense Missile Command in 2015 in an anti-aircraft role, is armed with eight SAMs per launcher.

The 4.6 m-long, cold-launched missiles - each of which costs an estimated KRW1.5 billion (USD1.2 million) - are capable of reaching a top speed of Mach 4.5 and an altitude of between 15 and 20 km.

A Cheongung SAM battery typically consists of a command-and-control centre, a multifunction radar, and four transporter-erector-launchers - all of which are mounted on separate 8×8 trucks. Development of the system was completed in 2011, with production of the Block-1 missiles beginning in 2013.

In June 2017 South Korea announced the beginning of mass-production of the Cheongung Block-2 variant to better counter North Korea's growing missile threats. The Block-2, deliveries of which are ongoing, is a hit-to-kill (HTK) missile interceptor designed to engage incoming ballistic missile targets at an altitude of about 20 km.

It was rated fit for combat operations after meeting all the requirements at a test conducted in early June 2017. The move marked the completion of the development of the improved HTK missile, which was led by the country's Agency for Defense Development in co-operation with South Korean companies such as LIG Nex1.
 

Citation :

HHI launches fourth Daegu-class frigate for South Korean navy

Gabriel Dominguez, London and Matteo Scarano, London - Jane's Defence Weekly

29 April 2020


HHI launched Daegu (FFX-II)-class frigate Donghae in a ceremony held on 29 April at the company’s facilities in Ulsan, South
Korea. Source: RoKN


South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has launched the fourth of eight Daegu (FFX-II)-class guided-missile frigates on order for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).

Named Donghae (with pennant number 822), the 122.1 m-long warship entered the water during a ceremony held on 29 April at HHI's facilities in the southeastern coastal city of Ulsan, and is expected to be handed over to the service in late 2021.

The first two frigates of the class - ROKS Daegu (818), which entered service in March 2018, and Gyeongnam (819), which was launched on 21 June 2019 - were built by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), which will also build the fifth and sixth ships of the class.

The third and fourth ships, Seoul (821) and Donghae , are being built by HHI, which has also been contracted to construct the final two frigates of the class. The company is set to begin building the seventh and eighth vessels in the second half of 2020, with delivery to the RoKN expected to take place in 2023, according to HHI.

The Daegu class is a larger variant of South Korea's six Incheon (FFX-I)-class ships, the first of which entered service in 2013.

The class has an overall beam of 14 m, a standard displacement of 2,800 tonnes, and a full-loaded displacement of 3,650 tonnes. Each FFX-II ship is powered by one Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine engine and two Leonardo DRS permanent magnet motors driven by MTU 12 V 4000 diesel-generator sets in a combined diesel-electric or gas (CODLOG) configuration. Each of the ships can attain a maximum speed of 30 kt.

The Daegu class is armed with one 127 mm MK 45 MOD 4 naval gun and one Raytheon six-barrelled 20 mm Phalanx close-in weapon system mounted on the top of the aft superstructure.

Citation :

Republic of Korea Armed Forces

Republic of Korea Army K153 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle

Photo by Kim Sang Yeon

Citation :

South Korea plans to upgrade its SSM-700K anti-ship missile

Dae Young Kim, Seoul - Jane's Defence Weekly

03 May 2020


South Korea is planning to enhance the performance of its SSM-700K Haeseong (C-Star) anti-ship missile.
Source: RoKN


South Korea is planning to enhance the performance of the locally developed SSM‐700K Haeseong (C-Star), sea-skimming, anti-ship missile, which has been in service with the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) since 2005.

An official from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) told Jane's in late April that advanced research analysis on a potential performance upgrade will be conducted between October 2020 and April 2021.

It is unclear what the upgrade will exactly entail but the navy is believed to be seeking to extend the weapon's maximum range - currently 150 km - to more than 200 km, bolster its anti-jamming capabilities, and enhance its satellite navigation and overall guidance system.

Military officials told Jane's that they want the upgraded SSM-700K to have a performance similar to that of the US-made RGM-84L Harpoon Block II anti-ship missile, but with a longer range. The RGM-84L had a stated maximum range of 124 km.

South Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) began developing the radar‐guided, air‐breathing SSM-700K in 1996, with mass production and deployment starting in 2005.

Prior to this the RoKN had introduced US-made Harpoon and French-made Exocet anti-ship missiles.

The SSM-700K, which is currently deployed on the RoKN's KDX-3-class destroyers, Incheon (FFX-I) and Daegu (FFX-II)-class frigates, and Gumdoksuri-class (PKG-A)-class fast patrol vessels, among others, is thought to use a phased‐array active radar seeker.

In flight the gimballed seeker scans in the horizontal plane only. The missile uses a GPS‐aided inertial navigation system for mid‐course guidance and active radar for terminal homing.