HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- A total of 16 patrol ships built and handed over, showing off pride and excellence in technology

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) said in a statement that it held a launching ceremony for four Korean coastal-defense patrol ships on May 12, 2022.

With the PKX-B Batch-I program, the South Korean shipbuilder has built and handed over a total of 16 patrol boats ordered by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy. 

This ceremony was held at Yeongdo Shipyard with the attendance of military officers (e.g., Naval Operations Commander Kang Dong-hoon, Head of Naval Ship Operation Division of DAPA Bang Geuk-chul, Director of Naval Sea Systems Center of Defense Agency for Technology and Quality Lee Gil-soo, etc.), officials from HJSC (e.g., CEO Hong Moon-ki, etc.) and members of the ROK Navy. It was run in order of saluting the national flag, progress briefing, declaration of the boat name, commemorative address, commendation of men of merit, congratulatory speech and launching & safe sailing ceremony.  

The Patrol-boat Killer Medium Rocket (PKMR) is the ROK Navy’s next-generation high-speed patrol ship assigned to defend the coastal line, replacing the old Chamsuri-class patrol boat (PKM). Equipped with the latest combat system, 130mm guided anti-ship missiles, an electronic warfare system and multi-ammunition softkill system (MASS), this ship is significantly upgraded from the conventional patrol boat in terms of battle force, survivalability and operational capability. 

In particular, it features a water-jet engine which enables high-speed operations without fishing net interferences to secure its operational capability in the coastal region. Furthermore, its survivalability was maximized by dramatically improving the hull through reinforcing the bullet-proof performances of key compartments, anti-impact design, fireproof bulkhead and stealth design. 
 
Started with the first home-manufactured coat-guard ship ‘Haksaeng’ in 1972, HJSC, the nation’s maritime defense industry leader, has reached big milestones in the history of Korean high-speed patrol boats over nearly 5 decades from the Yoon Youngha-class patrol vessel to the new patrol boat. The four new patrol boats were built with HJSC’s own technologies from basic design to launching. 

An official from HJSC said, “Since the launching of Chamsuri 211-class PKMR patrol boat in 2016, we have successfully built and handed over a total of 16 new patrol ships so far, playing a critical role in the production of Korean patrol boats.” He continued, “Based on our advanced shipbuilding technologies which have long been accumulated for the past decades, we are committed to make a contribution to defending the coastal region and reinforcing the naval power.”