World Navies Today: South Korea
Revised 23 March 2002
Version 1.08
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Navies Today Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/
This list includes all surface combatants, submarines, mine warfare
vessels and patrol craft over 100 tons displacement, and all amphibious
ships and auxiliaries over 500 tons displacement. Non-self-propelled
craft and vessels without seagoing capability are not included.
Ships not yet commissioned, or in long-term overhaul/conversion, are
listed in [brackets]. Navigation and surface-search radars are not
listed. All designations & classifications are unofficial; they may or
may not correspond to "official" designations.
KDX-3 class destroyers
Displacement: 9,000 tons
Dimensions:
Propulsion:
Crew:
Aviation: flight deck, hangar, RAST; 2 helos
Radar: SPY-1 Aegis
Sonar: ???
Fire Control: ???
EW: ???
Armament: 1 61 cell, 1 29 cell VLS (90 SM-2, etc), 8 Harpoon SSM,
1 5/62 DP, 2-3 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS, 2 triple 12.75 inch torpedo tubes
New class of three Aegis-equipped destroyers to enter service 2010+.
Moon-Moo (KDX-2) class destroyers
Displacement: 5,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 154.4 x 16.9 x 4.3 meters
Propulsion: CODOG: 2 LM2500, 64,960 shp; 2 diesels, 10,280 bhp; 2
shafts, 64,960 shp max, 30+ knots
Crew: 185 + 101 transient
Aviation: flight deck, hangar, RAST; 2 helos
Radar: SPS-49 2-D air search, MW-08 3-D air search
Sonar: DSQS-21 hull, towed array
Fire Control: 2 STIR-24 missile control
EW: intercept/jammer suite, SRBOC RL, Daewoo towed
Armament: 32 cell Mk41 VLS for SM-2, VLA & ESSM, 8 Harpoon SSM, 1
5/62 DP, 1 21-cell RAM launcher, 1 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS, 2 20 mm AA,
2 triple 12.75 inch torpedo tubes
Three larger destroyers planned to enter service 2003-2005.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
[975 Moon-Moo 2003 building]
[976 (unknown) 2004 building]
[977 (unknown) 2005 building]
Kwanggaeto class (KDX-1 type) frigates
Displacement: 3,900 tons full load
Dimensions: 135.4 x 14.2 x 4.2 meters (444 x 46.5 x 14 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 cruise diesels, approx. 8,000 bhp, 18 knots;
2 LM2500 boost gas turbines, 58,200 shp, 30 knots
Crew: 170
Aviation: aft helicopter deck with hangar; 2 Lynx helos
Radar: SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search
Sonar: DSQS-23 hull
Fire Control: TMX-KA system, 2 STIR-180
EW: Argo AR 700/APECS, 4 chaff, SLQ-25 Nixie
Armament: 8 Harpoon SSM, 16 cell VLS for Sea Sparrow, 1 5/54 DP,
2 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS, 2 triple 12.75 inch torpedo tubes
These are large, modern frigates of South Korean design and
construction; replaced old ex-US ships. Officially
considered destroyers. Originally to be a class of 12, but
larger types (see above) will be built instead.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
971 Kwanggaeto 1998
972 Ulchimundok 1999
973 Yang Manchun 2000
Ulsan class small ASW frigates
Displacement: 2,180 tons full load
Dimensions: 105 x 12 x 3.5 meters (344.5 x 39 x 11.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 cruise diesels, 7,200 shp; 2 LM2500 boost
gas turbines, 54,400 shp, 35 knots
Crew: 145
Radar: DA-05 air search
Sonar: PHS-32 hull (957-961: DE1167 hull?)
Fire Control: WM-28 (957-961: ST-1802 STIR)
EW: ULQ-11K intercept, 2 SRBOC, SLQ-26 Nixie
Armament: 8 Harpoon SSM, 2 76 mm OTO DP, 4 dual 30 mm AA (3 40 mm AA
in 955-961), 2 triple 12.75 inch torpedo tubes, 2 DC racks
South Korean design frigates; vary in terms of electronic outfit.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
951 Ulsan 1981
952 Seoul 1984
953 Chung Nam 1985
955 Masan 1988
956 Keong Buk 1989
957 Chon Nam 1989
958 Che Ju 1990
959 Busan 1993
961 Chung Ju 1993
Po Hang class large patrol corvettes
Displacement: 1,300 tons full load
Dimensions: 88 x 10 x 2.9 meters (289 x 33 x 9.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 cruise diesels, 6,260 bhp; 1 LM2500 boost
gas turbine, 27,200 shp, 31 knots
Crew: 95
Radar: ST-1802 air/surf search (not in 756-766)
Sonar: PHS-32 hull (756-759: SQS-58 hull)
Fire Control: S-1810 (756-766: WM-28)
EW: Thorn EMI or NobelTech intercept/jammer, SRBOC or MEL Proteus
Armament: 2 76 mm OTO DP, 2 dual 40 mm AA, 2 triple 12.75 inch
torpedo tubes, 2 DC racks (756-759: 2 MM38 Exocet SSM, 1 76 mm OTO DP,
2 30 mm AA, 2 triple 12.75 inch torpedo tubes, 2 DC racks)
Corvettes, mainly for coastal ASW/patrol. Vary in details.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
756 Po Hang 1984
757 Kun San 1984
758 Kyong Ju 1986
761 Kim Chon 1988
762 Chung Ju 1985
763 Jin Ju 1985
765 Yo Su 1986
766 An Dong 1986
767 Sun Chon 1989
768 Iri 1989
769 Won Ju 1989
771 Je Chon 1989
772 Cheon An 1989
773 Song Nam 1989
775 Bu Cheon 1989
776 Dae Chon 1990
777 Son Hae 1990
778 Sok Cho 1991
781 Nam Won 1991
782 Kwan Myong 1991
783 Sin Hung 1992
785 Kong Ju 1993
Dong Hae class large patrol corvettes
Displacement: 1,076 tons full load
Dimensions: 78.5 x 10 x 2.6 meters (257.5 x 33 x 8.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 cruise diesels, 6,260 bhp; 1 LM2500 boost
gas turbine, 27,800 shp, 31 knots
Crew: 95
Sonar: PHS-32 hull
Fire Control: WM-28
EW: Thorn EMI or NobelTech intercept/jammer, MEL Proteus chaff
Armament: 1 76 mm OTO DP, 1 dual 40 mm AA, 2 dual 30 mm AA, 2 triple
12.75 inch torpedo tubes, 2 DC racks
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
751 Dong Hae 1982
752 Su Won 1983
753 Kang Reung 1983
755 An Yang 1983
Type 214 submarines
Displacement: 1,700+ tons submerged
Dimensions: 64 x 6.3 meters
Propulsion: Diesel-electric and AIP, 20 knots
Crew: approx. 30
Sonar:
Armament: 8 21 inch torpedo tubes
German-design, to be built in South Korea. At least 3 are planned.
Jang Bogo class (Type 209) coastal submarines
Displacement: 1,476 tons submerged
Dimensions: 56 x 6.25 x 5.5 meters (187.5 x 20.5 x 18 feet)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric; 4 diesels, 1 shaft, 5,000 shp, 21.5 knots
Crew: 30
Sonar: CSU-82 suite
Armament: 8 21 inch torpedo tubes (14 torpedoes or 28 mines or
Harpoon in last 3 ships)
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
061 Jang Bogo 1993
062 Lee Chun 1994
063 Choi Museon 1996
065 Park Wi 1996
066 Lee Jongmu 1996
067 Jeong Un 1998
068 Lee Sunsin 2000
069 Na Daeyong 2000
070 Lee Eokgi 2001
Note: A ~10,000 ton LPH/LSD is being considered for completion circa
2005.
Kojoonbong class medium landing ships
Displacement: 4,200 tons full load
Dimensions: 106.9 x 15.3 x 3 meters (350.5 x 50 x 10 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 12,800 bhp, 16 knots
Crew: 120
Aviation: aft helicopter deck
Troops: 200
Cargo: 1,800 tons (690 tons beaching)
Armament: 2 40 mm, 2 20 mm
New landing ships based on US WWII LST 1 design.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
681 Kojoonbong 1994
682 Birobong 1997
683 Hyangrobong 1999
685 Sungoonbong 1999
Un Bong (LST 1/LST 542) class medium landing ships
Displacement: 4,080 tons full load
Dimensions: 100 x 15.24 x 4.3 meters (328 x 50 x 14 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 1,800 bhp, 10 knots
Crew: 70
Troops: 350
Cargo: 1,230 tons (815 tons beaching)
Armament: 1 quad, 2 dual 40 mm, 2 20 mm
Ex-USN WWII-era LSTs, all extensively modified.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
LST 671 Un Bong 1944/55 Ex-LST 1010
LST 675 Kae Bong 1943/56 Ex-LST 288
LST 676 Wee Bong 1944/59 Ex-LST 849
LST 677 Su Yong 1944/58 Ex-LST 853
LST 678 Buk Han 1944/58 Ex-LST 900
LST 679 Hwa San 1945/58 Ex-LST 1080
Tae Cho (LSM 1) class utility landing craft
Displacement: 1,095 tons full load
Dimensions: 62 x 10.5 x 2.53 meters (203.5 x 34.5 x 8 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,880 bhp, 13 knots
Crew: 75
Troops: 48
Cargo: 350 tons (165 tons beaching)
Armament: 1 dual 40 mm, 4 20 mm
Ex-USN.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
LSM 657 Wol Mi 1944/56 Ex-LSM 57
LSM 658 Ki Rin 1944/56 Ex-LSM 19
Kilurki 11 class (Sea Dolphin type) small patrol boats
Displacement: 144 tons full load
Dimensions: 33.1 x 6.92 x 1.75 meters (108.5 x 23 x 5.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 9,000 bhp, 32 knots
Crew: 29
Armament: 1 dual 30 mm AA, 2 20 mm AA (additional in some units:
1 40 mm AA, 2 12.7 mm MG)
Total of 90 vessel built, numbered PKM 212+ and named "Kilurki
xxx". Built 1970's, exact completion dates unknown. Approx.
75 believed to be in service.
Wonsan minelayer
Displacement: 3,300 tons full load
Dimensions: 103.8 x 15 x 3.4 meters (340.5 x 49 x 11 feet)
Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 17,200 bhp, 22 knots
Crew: 160
Aviation: helicopter deck
Armament: 1 76 mm OTO DP, 1 dual 40 mm AA, 2 triple 12.75 inch
torpedo tubes, up to 300 mines
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
560 Won San 1997
Yangyang class minehunters
Displacement: 730 tons
Dimensions: ??
Propulsion: ??
Crew: ??
Sonar: SQQ-32 minehunting
Armament: 1 20mm, 2 7.62 mm
Enlarged version of previous class; details unknown.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
571 Yangyang 1999
[572 (none) ordered]
[573 (none) ordered]
[575 (none) ordered]
[576 (none) ordered]
[577 (none) ordered]
[578 (none) ordered]
Kang Keong (Lerici) class minehunters
Displacement: 520 tons full load
Dimensions: 50 x 9.6 x 2.6 meters (164 x 31.5 x 8.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 Z-drives, 1,600 bhp, 15 knots
Crew: 40
Sonar: Plessy 193M minehunting
Armament: 1 20 mm AA
Illegal copies of the Italian Lerici class design.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
561 Kang Keong 1986
562 Kang Jin 1991
563 Ko Reong 1991
565 Kim Po 1993
566 Ko Chang 1993
567 Kum Wha 1994
Nam Yang (Bluebird) class coastal minesweepers
Displacement: 380 tons full load
Dimensions: 44.32 x 8.29 x 2.7 meters (145.5 x 27 x 8.5 feet)
Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 1,020 bhp, 14 knots
Crew: 40
Sonar: UQS-1 mine location
Armament: 1 dual 20 mm, 3 12.7 mm MG
US-built for transfer.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
MSC 555 Nam Yang 1963
MSC 556 Ha Dong 1963
MSC 557 Sam Kok 1968
MSC 558 Yong Dong 1975
MSC 559 Ok Cheon 1975
Kum San (Bluebird) class coastal minesweepers
Displacement: 370 tons full load
Dimensions: 43 x 7.95 x 2.55 meters (141 x 26 x 8.5 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 1,200 bhp, 14 knots
Crew: 40
Sonar: UQS-1 mine location
Armament: 1 dual 20 mm, 3 12.7 mm MG
US-built for transfer.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
MSC 551 Kum San 1959
MSC 552 Ko Hung 1959
MSC 553 Kum Kok 1959
Cheonji class small replenishment oilers
Displacement: 9,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 130 x 17.8 x 6.5 meters (426.5 x 58 x 21 feet)
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 15,600 bhp, 20 knots
Crew: ??
Aviation: aft helicopter deck
Cargo: 4,200 tons fuels, 450 tons stores
Armament: 2 dual 40 mm AA, 2 20 mm AA
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
AOE 57 Cheonji 1992
AOE 58 Daocheong 1998
AOE 59 Hwacheon 1998
USN YO 65 class coastal tanker
Displacement: 1,390 tons full load
Dimensions: 53 x 9.75 x 4 meters (174 x 32 x 13 feet)
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 1 shaft, 640 bhp, 10 knots
Crew: 36
Cargo: 900 tons
Armament: 2 20 mm
Ex-USN.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
YO 6 ?? 1945/71 Ex-YO 179
Cheonghaejin submarine rescue ship
Displacement: 4,300 tons full load
Dimensions: 102.8 x 16.4 x 4.6 meters (337.3 x 53.8 x 15.1 feet)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric, 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 5,440 hp,
18 knots
Crew: 130
Armament: 6 12.7 mm MG
Large tug-type submarine rescue ship.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
21 Cheonghaejin 1996
Pyongtaek (Edenton) class salvage tugs
Displacement: 3,200 tons full load
Dimensions: 88 x 15.25 x 4.6 meters (289 x 50 x 15 feet)
Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 6,000 bhp, 16 knots
Crew: appox. 130
Armament: light guns
Ex-USN, acquired 1997.
Number Name Year FLT Homeport Notes
ATS 27 Pyongtaek 1972/97 Ex-ATS 2
ATS 28 Kwangyang 1972/97 Ex-ATS 3
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Compiled and maintained by Andrew Toppan.
Copyright © 1997-2003, Andrew Toppan. All Rights Reserved.
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