SOUTH KOREA: Transition to a Blue Water NavyDESCRIPTION: Based upon current ship and missile purchases as part of its Strategic Mobile Fleet, South Korea appears to be transitioning from a coastal navy to a blue water navy.

SUMMARY:1) The Strategic Mobile Fleet will take the form of an integrated fleet that can be rapidly deployed into

the area of trouble. In this respect, the Strategic Mobile Fleet is a transition from the current coastal Navy to the blue water Navy. (NAVIES OF NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA)a) The KDX-III destroyer is the core of the Navy's future "strategic mobile squadrons", consisting of

14,000-ton Dokdo-class large-deck landing platforms, KDX-II destroyers, 1,800-ton Type-214 submarines and other support vessels and aircraft. The Navy plans to create a mobile squadron in 2010 and at least two more in the long runhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kdx-3.htm

b) On July 18 2007, the navy revealed a plan to move its Operational Command from Jinhae to Busan at the end of the year. The reason for the move is that the waters off Jinhae are too shallow for new, larger vessels. (Armed Forces Overview)

c) In a speech delivered in March 2001, President Kim Dae Jung stated that his administration was aiming to build a navy that "will defend the national interests in the five oceans and perform a role in defending world peace." http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/lp-x.htm

2) Recent purchases or planned purchases by the Navya) Submarines

i) KSS-III / Jangbogo-III / SSX http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kss-3.htm (1) 9 Type 209s, 9 Type 214s, and 9 "KX-3" submarines(2) As of 2004 South Korea was planning to build a class of 3,500-ton submarines, with the

first entering service around 2012.(3) According to one report, government officials stated that on 25 January 2004 Defense

Department and the navy examined the construction of an atomic submarine positively, based on the report from May 2003. The nuclear propelled submarine of 4,000 ton class (SSX), after 2012, was said to be viewed positively in order for the Korean navy to cope with the threat in regard to the security of neighboring countries such as Japan and China.

ii) KSS-II / Jangbogo-II (Ge T-214) http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kss-2.htm (1) Three are already in service and the first of the next six should enter service by 2012 and

probably completed by 2010.(2) The submarines will be about 65 meters long and 6 meters wide. They can submerse to

a depth of up to 400 meters and will be outfitted with 8 torpedo tubes and Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM). With a crew of 27 to 35 members each, the new subs will carry out underwater operations for a maximum of two weeks at a time.

b) Destroyersi) KDX-III Sejong http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kdx-3.htm

(1) The ROK KDX-III destroyer is intended to be a multi-purpose destroyer featuring anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and tactical ballistic missile defense capabilities.

(2) This platform will enable the ROKN to successfully defend the maritime areas around the Korean peninsula from air, surface, and subsurface threats, and will increase interoperability with the USN.

(3) The KDX-III destroyer is the core of the Navy's future "strategic mobile squadrons". To that end, the service wants to build three more KDX-III ships by 2020. With only three Aegis ships, systematic operations of mobile squadrons are almost impossible due to lack of backup capability. In general, a pair of Aegis ships is supposed to thwart enemy aircraft and incoming missiles, respectively, while another pair is on standby and another one under regular maintenance.

ii) KDX-II Choongmoogong http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kdx-2.htm c) Frigates

i) FFX(1) The first six units (Phase 1) built through 2015, with the first unit being commissioned in

2011; Phase 2: Nine ships built from 2015-2023; Phase 3: Nine ships built from 2021-2028, completing the class at 24 units.

(2) The forthcoming frigate, designed for anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft warfare, will feature incomparable seakeeping and maneuverability. Advanced design concept affords wide option for weapon combination and convenient maintenance.

(3) According to one report, the Navy wants to launch a total of 24 to 27 FFX vessels by 2020 as part of efforts to bolster its coastal defense operations.

d) Amphibious i) LP-X Dodko http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/lp-x.htm

(1) The New LPD will carry 700 troops, 10 helicopters, and 12 landing craft. An alternate load out would include 10 CH-60 helicopters, seven amphibious vehicles, six tanks and two small landing boats. This ship was initially projected to displace around 10,000 tons.

(2) The ships can be used in a wide range of activities, including UN peacekeeping operations and disaster relief. For this reason, the LP-X is expected to usher in a new era of expanded Korean naval prowess, since it can be used for relief, transport, and other peacetime activities.

SOURCES:

NAVIES OF NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA: MISSIONS, ASSETS AND CAPABILITIES COMPAREDNaval Forces Magazine - October 2009http://web.ebscohost.com.lib-ezproxy.tamu.edu:2048/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&hid=106&sid=c8e9d3ee-2848-495e-96d7-372a2e000c59%40sessionmgr104 The ROK, Navy is divided into three sectors- one each assigned to East, West and South Seas surrounding the southern half of the Korean peninsula. The Strategic Mobile Fleet will take the form of an integrated fleet that can be rapidly deployed into the area of trouble. In this respect, the Strategic Mobile Fleet is a transition from the current coastal Navy to the blue water Navy. Under Defense Reform 2020, the 15-year military modernization program announced in 2005, the unit structure will shift from the current structure of three Fleet Commands, one Submarine Combat Group., and one Naval Aviation Wing to three Fleet Commands (FC), one Submarine Command (SC), one Naval Aviation Command (N AC), and one Maneuver Combat Group (MCG). These changes are designed to develop the ROK Navy's maneuver unit structure capability and improve overall C31 coordination. The largest naval base is at Chinhae, and seven small naval stations are located at Cheju, Inch’on, Mokp’o, Mukho, Pukp'yong-ni, P'ohang, and Busan, In November 2007, the Third Fleet Command was redeployed from Busan to Mokp'o, and in the following month the Navy Operations Command was transferred from Jitihae to Busan, the Navy plans to build a naval base on Jeju by 2014, at a cost of 800 billion won (USS850M - more with depressed Korean Won value since Autumn 2008).

Armed Forces Overview - South Korea - Q2 2010Business Monitor – 2010http://www.businessmonitor.com.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/cgi-bin/request.pl?view=articleviewer&article=342009&service=8&SessionID=296686962803022&iso=KR&metaid=210 On July 18 2007, the navy revealed a plan to move its Operational Command from Jinhae to Busan at the end of the year. The reason for the move is that the waters off Jinhae are too shallow for new, larger vessels. The Third Fleet Command, which is currently in Busan, will be transferred to Mokpo. During May, June and July 2007, the Navy commissioned its first 14,000 tonne large-deck landing ship. It also launched a KDX-III Aegis destroyer and a 1,800 tonne attack submarine.

KSS-III SSX Jangbogo-III Classhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kss-3.htm

As of 2004 South Korea was planning to build a class of 3,500-ton submarines, with the first entering service around 2012. About 1.7 billion won ($1.4 million) was in the 2004 defense budget for a two-year study of the project. South Korea had deployed nine 1,200-ton submarines since 1992, and planned to launch three 1,800-ton vessels worth 2.27 trillion won from 2007, all with diesel or diesel-electric engines designed by a German firm. As for next-generation subs, the ROK Navy was in the concept design stage.

According to the transcript of the national assembly's meeting of 05 April 2006, South Korea's submarine plan was changed in December 2005 from 9 Type 209s, 3 Type 214s, and 12 "SSX" (indigenous 3,000-ton submarines) to 9 Type 209s, 9 Type 214s, and 9 "KX-3" submarines. The Korean name for the SSX is Jangbogo-III. The Type 214 is called Jangbogo-II [Chang Bogo]. The KX-3 is a rarely used name for the SSX. In May 2007 a committee chaired by the Defence Minister authorized the 2.5 trillion won ($2.62 billion) plan to develop an indigenous 4,000-ton (submerged displacement) submarine. The contract for basic design was signed in December 2007. Daewoo and Hyundai will jointly design the sub from December 2007 to December 2011.

SSX-N Korean Atomic Submarine ??In January 2004 Choson Ilbo journalist Yu Yong-won reported that South Korean military

authorities were considering the possibility of developing nuclear powered submarines after 2012. South Korean officials began to discuss the construction of nuclear submarines in May 2003, to be able to deal with "potential security threats from other strong powers in the region following Korean unification." The South Korean Navy was reported to have formed a working group of some 30 specialists to initiate design work on the project.

In August 2004, reporter Kim Yong-sam of the South Korean monthly news magazine Wolgan Choson reported that the Ministry of National Defense had approved concept designs in June 2003. An inter-agency working group for the project was said to include the ROK Navy, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).

According to one report, government officials stated that on 25 January 2004 Defense Department and the navy examined the construction of an atomic submarine positively, based on the report from May 2003. The nuclear propelled submarine of 4,000 ton class (SSX), after 2012, was said to be viewed positively in order for the Korean navy to cope with the threat in regard to the security of neighboring countries such as Japan and China.

Initially for the Korean navy, the German make 214 model submarines (KSS-II) was to lead to the domestic 3,500 ton type conventionally powered submarine (KSS-III), which would lead to the the domestic 4,000 ton model atomic submarine (SSX). In this plan there is a gradual evolution, loading domestic cruise missiles on the KSS-III. The alternative was a schedule in which building the KSS-III is excluded, when the approach which directly builds the atomic submarine is connected to the guaranty

of the effective naval arm. If the project had been approved in 2007, and started construction 2~3 years would be needed, with at least 3 planned. Under this plan the first would be commissioned in 2012.

Secret South Korean military were inadvertently published on the South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) website when the agency was established on 01 January 2006. DAPA uploaded classified excerpts from Ministry of National Defense weapons development plans, for which over one hundred were classified as "top secret" (level 3) or "no foreign access." The document excerpts on the DAPA website included references to South Korean plans to build three "medium-size next generation" submarines between 2010 and 2022, under the "SSX project." The size of the budget allocation for the submarines (3.074 trillion won - about $3.24 billion) suggested that Seoul was indeed planning to develop nuclear-powered vessels.

The South Korean Ministry of National Defense and DAPA denied any plans to develop nuclear-propelled submarines. On January 9, 2006, DAPA Director Kim Chong-il insisted that there are no plans to develop a nuclear-powered submarine and that it was "absurd nonsense" to suggest that the SSX project submarines would be nuclear-powered.

As for SSX nuclear propelled submarine of 4,000 ton class, the atomic energy-related systems for the submarine might receive technical aid from Russia. The Korean Atomic Energy Laboratory SMART-P technical verification reactor is a next generation reactor where principal device such as steam generator and pressurizer has settled in one (design life approximately 30 years). It was developed from 2002, and completed in June 2008. As for this experimental reactor, that is one possible prototype, the height is 10m and diameter 5m.

One obstacle is that the atomic submarine would have a nuclear power plant that used Low Enriched Uranium, in order not to violate to the Korean Peninsula denuclearization declaration. The problem is that such fuel would have a relatively short core life, requiring frequent refueling. Normally, nuclear powered submarines use uranium enriched to ove 80%, to nearly bomb grade of over 90%.

KSS-II Classhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kss-2.htm

The ROK Navy initially worked with both French and German shipyards in the design and acquisition of ROK Navy’s next submarine, KSS-II. Six units of the SSU class were initially planned, before a plan to introduce 2-6 ex-Russian Kilo SS was floated. However in late 2000 three Type 214 had been selected.

The Ministry of National Defense decided on three of the German company HDW's Type 214 submarines as the design model of the KSS-II project. This ship will be in the 1800-ton range and will have Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) engineering plant. The submarines will be about 65 meters long and 6 meters wide. They can submerse to a depth of up to 400 meters and will be outfitted with 8 torpedo tubes and Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM). With a crew of 27 to 35 members each, the new subs will carry out underwater operations for a maximum of two weeks at a time. Roughly one trillion won will be budgeted for the costs of constructing the three advanced ships by 2009.

The Ministry of Defense made a final selection of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Co., Ltd. as the main contractor to build three submarines under the the KSS-II project. After receiving all bids and looking at the results of its numerous inspections teams, the Defense Ministry's final decision for Hyundai ended the fierce bidding rivalry with Daewoo Shipbuilding. Daewoo Shipbuilding had enjoyed a virtual monopoly in the nation's submarine industry until early 1999, when the Defense Ministry allowed

Hyundai to participate in its submarine project through open competition. Daewoo Shipbuilding had suffered a financial crunch since its parent conglomerate, Daewoo

Group, collapsed following the national financial crisis at the end of 1997. The Ministry cited Hyundai's

firm financial structure and favorable terms as key consideration in its decision. HHI will be aided by technical and design provisions from HDW and will construct many sections of the ship domestically. With the transfer of new design technologies from HDW on this project, HHI will be able to construct future submarine projects independently.

According to the transcript of the national assembly's meeting of 05 April 2006, South Korea's submarine plan was changed in December 2005 from 9 Type 209s, 3 Type 214s, and 12 "SSX" (indigenous 3,000-ton submarines) to 9 Type 209s, 9 Type 214s, and 9 "KX-3" submarines. The Korean name for the SSX is Jangbogo-III. The Type 214 is called Jangbogo-II [Chang Bogo].

The Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) is one of the recent innovations that have captured the attention and won the admiration of the submarine world. After lengthy studies and discussions it is now the accepted wisdom that the fuel cell systems are the ideal solution for air independent propulsion of conventional (i.e. non-nuclear) submarines. The main reason is that they meet the highest demands in terms of ensuring both an extremely efficient energy conversion and the lowest possible signatures.

With the handover of the 1,700-ton Son Won Il in December 2007, South Korea became the third nation after Germany and Italy that operates submarines powered by a combined diesel-electric and fuel cell propulsion. The second Type 214 ROKS Jeong Ji was launched on 13 June 2007 and entered service in November 2008. On 28 November 2008 the Korean shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd. Co delivered within the agreed time the second of three Class 214 submarines to the national procurement agency DAPA. Thereupon the South Korean Navy took over command of “Yung Yi” on 2nd December 2008. The third unit followed suit in the same manner (launched in June 2008 to be operational in November/December 2009). Design and major components are provided by TKMS-shipyard HDW of Kiel, Germany, but assembly, integration and testing is performed in South Korea at the Hyundai Heavy Indstries Ltd. Co. shipyard in Ulsan.

As for the next six Type 214s, Daewoo and Hyundai will build three each alternately and the last unit is to be operational by 2017. So the first of the next six should enter service by 2012 and probably completed by 2010.

The design and major components of the submarine were provided by the Kiel shipyard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW), a company of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The Class 214 submarines for South Korea are being built under licence from HDW at the Hyundai Heavy Industries Ltd. Co. shipyard in Ulsan (South Korea).

The new submarine has a displacement of approximately 1,700 tons, is 65 meters long and operated by a regular crew of 27 men. It has a combined diesel-electric and fuel cell propulsion system. Equipped with ultra-modern sensors and an integrated Command and Weapon Control System, it is optimally suited to its future reconnaissance and surveillance tasks. Beside Germany and Italy, South Korea is the third country operating submarines with the revolutionary HDW fuel cell propulsion system.

A 3000-4000 ton follow on class is planned.

KDX-III Sejong Destroyerhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kdx-3.htm The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has embarked on a substantial shipbuilding program for its

Korean Destroyer Experimental (KDX). It is a three-phased program consisting of three individual classes of ships: KDX-I (3800 tons) with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of 1998, KDX-II (5000 tons) with IOC 2002, and KDX-III (7000-9000 tons) with IOC 2007/2008. Each phase gets more ambitious with respect to ship size, sensors, and weapons. As of 2000 planning was for three KDX-I class, six KDX-II, and at least one KDX-III class ships. The USN has sold a substantial amount of materials and technical support for the KDX-I and KDX-II ships.

KDX-III was to be a larger (7000 tons or greater), more "Aegis-like" ship (Aegis Combat System

with the ship incorporating certain Low Observables (LO/CLO) technology). The KDX-III' standard displacement is 7,000t, while its full load displacement would be above

9,000t. Three or four KDX-III hulls were expected. After the first ship was completed in 2008, the

ministry expected to deploy two other KDX- III destroyers in 2010 and 2012, respectively. By one estimate each vessel will cost about 1.2 trillion won ($923 million). The entire project, including the ships themselves, is expected to cost 2.8 trillion won by other estimates. The ROK KDX-III destroyer is intended to be a multi-purpose destroyer featuring anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare and tactical ballistic missile defense capabilities.

This platform will enable the ROKN to successfully defend the maritime areas around the Korean peninsula from air, surface, and subsurface threats, and will increase interoperability with the USN.

The Republic of Korea Ministry of Defense announced on Oct. 25, 2001, that Thales Naval Nederland was one of the two final candidates selected for the combat system of the KDX-III Destroyer program for the ROK Navy. The other candidate is Lockheed Martin. The selection was for the second phase of the procurement process, referred to as the Test & Evaluation and Negotiation phase. Other combat systems that were being considered by the ROKN were Sampson (British Aerospace) and APAR (Signaal).

Thales Naval Nederland has offered a different solution for the combat system, the APAR Combat System. The combat system proposed by Thales Naval Nederland for the KDX-III destroyer programme includes the APAR multifunction radar, the SMART-L volume search radar, the SIRIUS infrared search and track system (IRST), MIRADOR tracking and observation system, as well as the combat direction system with associated software and interfaces to other equipment, including the combat system integration responsibility with respect to GFE. The ROK Navy was clearly considering both solutions. Final selection by the ROK MND was anticipated in June 2002.

On 18 March 2002, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the possible sale of three Lockheed Martin Aegis air defence systems, worth a potential US$1.2 billion, to arm the Republic of Korea Navy’s three new KDX-III destroyers. Aegis is very important for KDX-III. The ROKN is made a very strong effort to purchase the Aegis Combat System (baseline 7 phase 1) for KDX-III. The destroyer has been referred to as Aegis Destroyer, after Lockheed Martin's Aegis system. However, this was just one of the possible combat system solutions.

Lockheed Martin was selected by South Korea to supply the Aegis system for the next generation of Korean destroyers. Lockheed Martin was selected over the French company which supplied the country's existing destroyers. On 25 July 2002 Lockheed Martin won the contract to provide South Korea's navy with weapons control systems for three destroyers, beating European rival Thales SA. The Korean Navy selected the U.S Navy and Lockheed Martin to provide the Aegis Weapon System for its KDX-III Destroyer Program in late 2002. The three KDX-III Destroyers, equipped with the Aegis Weapon System, will allow the Korean Navy to successfully defend the maritime areas around the Korean Peninsula from air, surface and underwater threats. In addition, the KDX-III Destroyers will increase interoperability with the U.S. Navy.

June 26, 2006 the Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the South Korean Government of 48 SM-2 Block IIIB Tactical STANDARD missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $111 million. The Government of Korea has requested a possible sale of 48 SM-2 Block IIIB Tactical STANDARD missiles with Mk 13 Mod 0 canisters, containers, Intermediate-Level Maintenance spares and repair parts, supply support, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance and other related elements of logistics

support. The estimated cost is $111 million. Korea will use these missiles as the primary defensive system aboard its new KDX-III AEGIS destroyer for anti-missile ship protection. Korea has already integrated the SM-2 Block IIIA into its ship combat systems. It will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces.

In November 2004 Rolls-Royce was awarded an order worth more than $40 million to supply nine AG9140RF gas turbines for South Korea's KDX III destroyer program. The Koreans chose the Rolls-Royce system because it is the same used for Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) destroyers in U.S. Navy service. The turbines will provide the main electrical power system for the three ships in the KDX III program. Korean firm Samsung Techwin placed the contract order.

In July 2006 Rolls-Royce, the world-leading provider of power systems and services, has delivered the first three gas turbine generator sets which will provide the main electrical power system for the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 7,000-ton KDX-III destroyer. The first AG9140RF gas turbine generator set, was produced at the Rolls-Royce Indianapolis plant, and the other two were assembled by Samsung Techwin from Rolls-Royce supplied kits. Another six generator sets, being assembled by Samsung Techwin from Rolls-Royce supplied kits, will be supplied to the other two KDX-III destroyers that are scheduled to be built. The alternator for the generator set is planned to be produced by Hyundai under licence.

In 2007 the ROK Navy Aegis class Destroyer, KDX-III, took delivery of the most advanced DAVIS Infrared Signature Suppression (IRSS) technology. Using an automatic controller which monitors the surrounding environment, the advanced system actively controls IR signature in order to blend the ship in with the background. DAVIS augmented the Eductor/Diffuser, which passively mixes cool ambient air into the engine exhaust stream, with an active sea water injection (SWI) system. The SWI system injects a fine water mist into the exhaust stream in order to further cool the exhaust gas by water evaporation. Ship skin signature is controlled by an active hull cooling (AHC) system which automatically controls the flow of water to a large array of sprinklers. The controller for the advanced IR suppression systems is the Onboard Signature Manager (OSM) which calculates the optimal temperatures for the ship hull and superstructure given present environmental conditions. OSM builds on the NATO standard IR signature prediction code, ShipIR/NTCS. The IR suppression systems for the KDXIII were selected by the ROK Navy after a thorough cost-benefit analysis which was conducted using ShipIR/NTCS throughout the basic and detailed design stages of the ship.

On 11 August 2004 South Korea's Navy said that it will begin constructing its first 7,000-ton-class Aegis-equipped destroyer as part of a three-phased naval force improvement program. The vessel will be the first of three Aegis-equipped destroyers which the South Korean Navy will develop by 2012 under the KDX-III program. South Korean Navy's first Aegis destroyer "King Sejong" was launched on 25 May 2007 in a ceremony at the Ulsan dockyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries in the southeastern port city of Ulsan. The 7,600-ton KDX-III destroyer made it the fifth country to have the Aegis integrated weapons control system following the US, Japan, Spain and Norway. The King Sejong is also equipped with locally developed ship-to-ship missiles and torpedoes as well as various ship-to-air missiles and ship-to-surface cruise missiles. Stealth technology was also used, making radar detection harder. The ship was to be deployed operationally in 2009 after test operations.

In June 2006 the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Korean military acquisition agency, selected Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. to build the country's second Aegis-equipped destroyer. Daewoo was expected to deliver the destroyer to the Navy by the end of 2010. In July 2007 Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) began the steel cutting of the South Korean Navy's second KDX-III Aegis-equipped destroyer. The Seoul-based company said that following the start of the steel cutting the first keel would be laid in December, with launching scheduled for November 2008. On 16 November 2008 South Korea launched its second AEGIS KDX-III destroyer. The ship was built at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering yard on Geoje Island in South

Gyeongsang. The ship was named after Yulgok Yi I, a prominent Confucian scholar of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

High level discussions have taken place to provide South Korea an Aegis BMD capability on their KDX-III Class Aegis Destroyers. The three 7,000-ton KDX-III destroyers designed by South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries were expected to be in service by 2012. The ships are intended to replace the South Korean Navy's fleet of aging U.S.-built destroyers.

In January 2008 the South Korean navy proposed the procurement of a further three KDX-III Aegis-equipped destroyers. The KDX-III destroyer is the core of the Navy's future "strategic mobile squadrons", consisting of 14,000-ton Dokdo-class large-deck landing platforms, KDX-II destroyers, 1,800-ton Type-214 submarines and other support vessels and aircraft. The Navy plans to create a mobile squadron in 2010 and at least two more in the long run. To that end, the service wants to build three more KDX-III ships by 2020. With only three Aegis ships, systematic operations of mobile squadrons are almost impossible due to lack of backup capability. In general, a pair of Aegis ships is supposed to thwart enemy aircraft and incoming missiles, respectively, while another pair is on standby and another one under regular maintenance.

KDX-II Chungmugong Yi Sunshin Destroyerhttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/kdx-2.htm The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has embarked on a substantial shipbuilding program for its

Korean Destroyer Experimental (KDX). It is a three-phased program consisting of three individual classes of ships: KDX-I (3800 tons) with Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of 1998, KDX-II (5000 tons) with IOC 2002, and KDX-III (probably 7000+ tons) with IOC 2007/2008. Each phase gets more ambitious with respect to ship size, sensors, and weapons. As of 2000 planning was for three KDX-I class, six KDX-II, and at least one KDX-III class ships. The USN has sold a substantial amount of materials and technical support for the KDX-I and KDX-II ships.

Under the KDX shipbuilding program that began in the 1980s, South Korea has deployed three 3,000-ton KDX-I light destroyers of the Gwanggaeto the Great class and six 4,300-ton KDX-II stealthy destroyers of the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin class. Admiral Yi of the Joseon Kingdom defeated Japanese invaders between 1592 and 1598.

KDX-II are a 5000-ton class ship, with a hull design licensed from Germany’s IABG, and a total of 6 KDX-II hulls were planned. There are some similarities with the preceding KDX-I destroyers, but at 4,800 tons the KDX-II displace nearly a thousand tons more. KDX-II reopened all major USN systems for consideration, including sonars, radars, launchers, fire control, etc. These include the Mk 41 Vertical Launch Sys-tem, Harpoon Launcher and Missile, Mk 46 Mod 5 Torpedo (VLA version), Weapon Di-rection System Mk 14, OT-134 CWI Radar Il-luminator, GE-LM2500 Gas Turbines, AN/SPS-49 Radar, RAM Launcher and Mis-sile, and 5-inch Gun Mk 45 Mod 4 with Ex-tended Range Guided Munition (ERGM). In the Mk 41 VLS, ROKN wants capability for SM-2 Block IIIA, possibly VLA, and possibly NSSMS RIM-7P missiles or ESSM, when available.

Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for three 32-cell Mk 41 VLS and three ship sets of WDS Mk 14 and OT-134 have been accepted. LOAs for two Harpoon Launchers had also been accepted. For the Harpoon Launchers, DSCA authorized waiver of collection of the NRC charge. In addition, LOAs have been accepted for three AN/SPS-49(V)5. An LOA for the RAM Missile was provided, but not yet accepted, and a re-statement was in progress as of August 2000. The DCS sale for the RAM Launcher is complete. P&A for Standard Missile SM-2 Block IIIA has been provided; LOA preparation is in process. DCS sale of the 5-inch Gun is completed. A particular selling point with ROKN for the 5-inch Gun with ERGM is its vastly improved capability for naval surface gunfire support to ROK Army troops.

The most significant development in 1998 in American FMS relations with Korea was the decision to press forward with on-time development of the KDX-II Destroyer program. Due to budget

constraints, Korea had to carefully prioritize which programs to support. KDX-II development was selected as the Korean Navy’s most important program. Korea signed acceptance of major FMS cases for Mk 41 VLS and other shipboard systems supporting the Standard Missile SM-2. This will result in a very high U.S. Navy content of the combat systems on board the KDX-II, which will promote interoperability, commonality for maintenance, and a closer long-term relationship between the ROK and US navies.

In early 2000 the Republic of Korea Navy chose the Raytheon Mk 31 Mod 1 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) system for its new KDX-II destroyer program. RAM will provide the KDX II with the middle layer of its layered defence against anti-ship missiles. The Block 1 version recently completed its US Navy operational test program and has received approval for full-rate production. Following a multi-stage competitive selection process, the US missile was selected over two competing systems, the Israel Aircraft Industries Barak and the Thomson-CSF Crotale VT-1. South Korea is the third country to purchase the RAM weapon system, which is developed and produced co-operatively by the US and Germany. Under a direct commercial sale contract, Raytheon is to deliver RAM Block 1 21-round launcher systems beginning in 2001, plus logistics, technical and integration services. The RIM-116A missiles needed to arm the destroyers will be procured at a later date under a separate contract.

Kia Heavy Industries Corp was awarded a licensed co-production contract to United Defense LP for three Mk45 Mod 4, 5-in/62 caliber lightweight gun systems. The deal, which is worth about $22 million, also includes technical assistance, training and spares. The delivery of the first Mk45 Mod 4 will be in 2001, while the last in 2003. The gun systems will be installed on the first three South Korean KDX-2 destroyers being built in the country.

Alenia Marconi Systems was awarded a contract worth more than 35 million for the supply of three Command and Control (C2) systems, in support of the Republic of Korea Navy's KDX-II destroyer programme. Samsung Thales Corporation (STC) in Seoul, who have awarded the contract, has been a Korean industrial partner with AMS on the KDX programmes since 1994. The KDX-11 C2 system comprises ten operator consoles. Previously, AMS had delivered similar systems for KDX-I and KDX-II Batch-I destroyers.

In 2001 DAVIS Engineering International Inc. was awarded contracts by both Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to supply Infrared Signature Suppression equipment for the new Korean Destroyer (KDX II). All engine exhausts (propulsion and electric power generating) will be suppressed. Delivery of the first shipset of hardware was made in September of 2001. Previous to the hardware contracts, DAVIS was also awarded a contract by DSME to provide Engineering Support for both infrared and radar signatures during the detailed design of the KDX II. The modeling and analysis work performed under this contract will ensure that the signature targets will be realized during the detailed design and construction phases of the ship program. The RCS related work was subcontracted to IABG (Germany). DSME has adopted a very rigorous approach to the design and construction of the KDX II. Detailed IR and RCS models of the ship will continually be upgraded and analyzed based on the progression of both the detailed design and manufacture of the ship. This process will ensure that the final ship configuration will meet the established signature specifications.

Deliveries of the first three destroyers of the KDX-II program were done as Batch I, with proposals for the second batch of three destroyers approved. KDX-II batch 1 & batch 2 includes indigenous systems including KVLS and KVLA. KDX-II was planned to the test platform for KDX-III systems. Speculation that the class may be reduced to 3 ships in favor of the larger KDX III design proved unfounded. Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Co., Ltd. received orders for the basic design of the Korean Navy's KDX-II destroyers in 1996. The lead and third ship were built by DSME at its shipyard in Keoje-City and the second of class was built by HHI at its shipyard in Ulsan. Initially the KDX-II was equipped with one 32-cell Mk41 VLS, 1 Mk45 Mod4 gun, 1 RAM, 1 Goalkeeper, 8 SSMs and also had a space reserved for land-attack cruise missiles. Its fire control radars consist of two STIR240 with Raytheon OT-134A CWI

transmitters bolted on. On the 4th unit, ROKS Wang Geon, the 32-cell Mk 41 VLS is moved to the left and an indigenous VLS for a "Korean VLA" is installed on the right. The ship's forward part is spacious enough to take a 64-cell Mk 41 VLS.

The first of these 4,000 ton-class destroyers, designed and built by South Korean engineers, was launched on 22 May 2002 at a shipyard off the southern island of Geoje. It was deployed in late 2003 after a one-year trial period. It was the first vessel developed under the Navy's KDX-II destroyer program. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. built the ship. The destroyer, which is 150 meters long and 17 meters wide, set a precedent for battle ships to accommodate female soldiers with facilities exclusively built for them. So far, no female soldier has served in the Navy's combat ship.

The Navy on 11 April 2003 launched its second 4,500-ton destroyer “Munmu the Great” a domestically produced warship utilizing state-of-the-art stealth technology. A launching ceremony was held at Hyundai Heavy Industries dockyard in Ulsan with the attendance of President Roh Moo-hyun, Defense Minister Cho Young-kil and Chief of Naval operations Adm. Moon Jung-il. “The grand spectacle of `Moonmu the Great’ symbolizes the nation's military science technology and its willingness to be self-reliant in national defense,” President Roh said in his commemorative speech. “(From here) we will be able to advance into the era of 7,000-ton destroyers with the Aegis combat system.” The vessel, the second of the Navy’s three KDX-II warships, is 150 meters long and 17.4 meters wide. It carries Harpoon anti-ship missiles, SM-II and RAM anti-aircraft missiles, and LYNX anti-submarine helicopters. In particular, its improved stealth and anti-submarine functions are designed to ensure modern warfare capabilities, officials said. Its maximum speed is 29 knots and its cruising speed is 18 knots. The destroyer, which was to be deployed in 2004 after a year of test operations, was named after a king in the 7th century of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D.935). The tomb of the Munmu the Great is the only underwater royal grave in the world.

In November 2003 South Korea's navy launched its third 4,000 ton-class stealth destroyer Wednesday in Okpo, some 480 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The domestically built 4,375-ton ship, equipped with a range of high-tech weaponry, was set afloat at a shipyard in Okpo, the navy said in a news releases on Wednesday. The ship, dubbed Daejoyoung, the founder of ancient Korean kingdom Balhae, was the third destroyer the navy had developed under its program code-named KDX-II.

On March 16, 2006 the Navy's fifth 4,000 ton-class destroyer equipped with radar-evading stealth technology was set afloat. Named after a military commander of the early Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392), the “Gang Gam Chan,” was developed under the Navy's shipbuilding program codenamed, “KDX-II.” She would be declared operational in the second half 2007 after an 18-month trial.

The government planned to build a mobile naval fleet by 2012, which ultimately consist of six 4,200-ton destroyers, three 7,000-ton destroyers with Aegis combat system and other submarines and combat support vessels. By the year 2020, the ROK Navy plans to deploy two or three rapid response fleets, each comprising of 1 LPX, 1 KDX-III, 2~3 KDX-II, and possibly a number of FFX frigates and one or two AIP submarines. As of mid-2004 the ROK government was considering expanding the KD-2 fleet to a class of up to 12 ships, up from the original 3. Daewoo almost certainly get the contract for this expansion, if approved.

FFX Future FrigateA new FFX is a planned class to replace Ulsan and other smaller frigates. The forthcoming

frigate, designed for anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft warfare, will feature incomparable seakeeping and maneuverability. Advanced design concept affords wide option for weapon combination and convenient maintenance. The ROKN planned to deploy a total of nine 2,500 ton class frigates by 2018. As of 2007 the delivery of one ship per year was slated to begin from 2010-2018.

The Ulsan, the first frigate possessed by the ROK Navy deployed in 1981, thereby being 26 years old by 2007, the same classes of which had not been constructed since the building of Cheongju-ham in

1993. By 2007 a total of 9 ships of the class were currently being operated. Patrol frigates are also 14~25 years old so that the future frigates (FFX) are to be constructed to replace existing Ulsan class frigates (FF) and Donghae/Pohang class combat patrol craft corvette (PCC) by 2020. Existing frigates had demerits in that they are weak in anti-air defense and cannot load helicopters. The new ships will realize localization of a detection sensor for performance improvement, increased anti-air warfare capability, and availability of helicopters to improve flexibility in anti-submarine warfare capacity and mission capability.

In late 2006 the Republic of Korea Navy selected Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) as the preferred designer for the Future Frigate (FFX) program. The timeline for the FFX Program was as follows: Request for Proposals for construction issued to HHI by early 2007; A construction contract award in 2008; The first six units (Phase 1) built through 2015, with the first unit being commissioned in 2011; Phase 2: Nine ships built from 2015-2023; Phase 3: Nine ships built from 2021-2028, completing the class at 24 units.

Initially the new frigates were planned to have the following subsystems: Indigenous 3D radar similar to the SMART-S Mk2; Two Ceros 200 multisensor directors; Indigenous sonar; Eight SSM-700K surface-to-surface missiles; One Rolling Airframe Missile launcher; One 76mm gun; One Korean Close-in Weapon System; Korean lightweight torpedoes.

In February 2007 Thales Underwater Systems was awarded a contract from STX Engine CO Ltd, Republic of Korea, for an industrial cooperation aiming at the full scale development of a new Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS) for the FFX frigate program to replace the Ulsan Class. The contract covers an industrial cooperation for design, development and manufacturing of the antenna and dome for HMS sonar, with final contract completion in 2009. Thales Underwater Systems has been a major force in the development of advanced anti-submarine warfare sonar systems for more than 40 years during which time it has established a leading position in medium frequency HMS design. The HMS is a high power and high performance keel mounted sonar, its design is largely based on the Thales off-the-shelf products. The high performance HMS is the result of continuous efforts and improvements in the sonar domain resulting in a smart sonar system adopted by many navies.

On 26 December 2008 Hyundai Heavy Industries was awarded a contract to build the lead ship of the new 2,300 ton-class frigates to begin service in 2011. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed the contract worth about 140 billion won with Hyundai, which had been in charge of the basic design of the state-of-the-art frigate. The first six FFX ships were to be built by 2015 to replace the current nine Ulsan class frigates in service. According to one report, the Navy wants to launch a total of 24 to 27 FFX vessels by 2020 as part of efforts to bolster its coastal defense operations.

Preliminary designs indicated the new frigates would be around 335 feet in length with a cruising speed of 18 knots. The FFX, with a full load displacement of 3,200 tons, will carry a Lynx anti-submarine helicopter. It will have a crew of 170 and sail at a top speed of 32 knots. Its operational range is 4,500 nautical miles. The ship will have conventional diesel/gasoline propulsion.

The FFX is expected to help strengthen the Navy's littoral operations regarding anti-air, anti-ship and detection capabilities as it will carry various indigenous or newly developed technology, such as combat command systems, 3D search radar and towed array sonar. The ship's sensors are mainly

Korean products, ranging from hull-mounted ASW sonar that want into development not too long ago and a TASS. Several versions of the 3D radar is being considering, including the MFR on K-MSAM system and enlarged version of the 3D pencil-beam radar developed for the PKM-X. The ship will be armed with light torpedoes and anti-ship missiles as well as a 127mm gun, they said. It will also be equipped with RAM Mk 31 guided missiles and a 30-mm ``Goalkeeper'' system for engaging incoming sea-skimming anti-ship missiles. No surface-to-air missiles and anti-submarine missiles or vertical missile launching system were initially planned. In the future, a naval version of K-MSAM (40km range) missile system along with the K-ASROC SUM may be offered in the VLS upgrade.

LP-X Dokdo (Landing Platform Experimental) Amphibious Shiphttp://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rok/lp-x.htm The LPX project is the Korean Navy (ROKN)'s helicopter ship project for which Hanjin Heavy

Industries has provided the general design package. The ROKN has a well-defined requirement for new amphibious ships to significantly enhance Korea’s current AMW capability, both in terms of assault and OOTW operations. In a speech delivered in March 2001, President Kim Dae Jung stated that his administration was aiming to build a navy that "will defend the national interests in the five oceans and perform a role in defending world peace." By the year 2020, the ROK Navy plans to deploy two or three rapid response fleets, each comprising of 1 LPX, 1 KDX-III, 2~3 KDX-II, and possibly a number of FFX frigates and one or two AIP submarines.

By mid-2001 a substantial portion of Korea's W10 trillion weapon introduction projects were facing delay due to budget and political reasons. Budget authorities were been reluctant to earmark funds to the projects citing the economic slump. Major projects facing indefinite postponement are the Air Force's W1.8 trillion E-X (airborne early warning control system) project and advanced anti-aircraft missile SAM-X system and the Navy's new landing ship LP-X projects.

The ROK Navy has stated a need for at least one, but probably up to four, LPD-type units that to be procured under the LPX program. On 16 September 2002 a report by the Ministry of National Defense at the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly announced the construction of two 13,000-ton class amphibious vessels. And after some delays and funding troubles, 2 LPX ships had been approved by late 2004, with hope for more in the future.

The LPX program, similar to the Japanese Ohsumi type LPD, could be regarded as another effort to have a greater regional influence. A new design amphibious landing ship, the first LPX was planned for delivery in 2005. The ROK Navy desired the ship to have a large flight deck like a helicopter carrier; a flooding well deck to accommodate Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV’s) and Landing Cushion Aircraft (LCAC) is being considered.

The New LPD will carry 700 troops, 10 helicopters, and 12 landing craft. An alternate load out would include 10 CH-60 helicopters, seven amphibious vehicles, six tanks and two small landing boats. This ship was initially projected to displace around 10,000 tons.

Due to the high technical standards of the LPX project, the ROKN wished to purchase advanced foreign manufactured systems. The ROKN established technical specifications first, and procurement was then made through open bidding procedures. In order to help develop their technical specifications, the ROKN received in advance technical information from foreign companies interested in participating in the LPX Project. It went without saying that companies whose technical specifications were specially adapted for this particular project had a greater chance of being selected as foreign procurement contractors by the ROKN.

As a result of continued collaboration, CAE Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) was selected for the LPx. The IPMS for LPx will take advantage of the latest proven technologies and experience that CAE gained during the development and deployment of the IPMS on the German Navy F-124 frigates and the Royal Netherlands’ Navy LCF programs. The project will be accomplished through

collaboration with Doosan Heavy Industries of Korea as part of a localisation agreement. The CAE IPMS monitors and controls all the hull, electrical and mechanical devices of a ship, such as propulsion, electrical distribution, steering and battle damage control systems.

As of September 2002, SMART-L and SPS-48E were in competition for LPX's 3D VSR. SPN-46 and SPN-720 were also in the running for LPX's precision approach control radar. The ship's long range volume search radar will be Thales' SMART-L system.

In December 2002 Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co (DHICO), S.E.M.T. Pielstick's Licensee in Korea, signed a contract for the supply of 30 MW propulsion plant with four 16 PC2.5 STC diesel engines for the first ship of the Korean Navy LPX program. The four engines will be built in Changwon by DHICO with the backup of S.E.M.T. Pielstick, in the frame of an industrial and co-operation agreement. The S.E.M.T. Pielstick 16 PC2.5 STC Diesel engine is a medium speed diesel engine rated at 7650 kW at 520 rpm equipped with the Sequential Turbo Charging (STC) system and fitted on resilient mountings. This contract is the result of 4 years' negotiations and close co-operation between all the partners, as the first request for proposal was issued on August 1998. This new order confirms the worldwide leader-ship of S.E.M.T. Pielstick Diesel engines for the propulsion of large Naval ships.

In 2003 AMS was awarded a contract by SangYong Information & Communication Corporation, Korea, for technical consultancy services in support of their local development of a Command Support System for the LPX Landing Platform Ship, designed for multi-helicopter operations and amphibious assault.

Being 200 meters long, 31 meters wide and displacing 14,000 tons [18,000 fully loaded], the ship will carry 700 troops, 10 CH-60 helicopters, seven amphibious vehicles, six tanks and two small landing boats. The ships can be used in a wide range of activities, including UN peacekeeping operations and disaster relief. For this reason, the LP-X is expected to usher in a new era of expanded Korean naval prowess, since it can be used for relief, transport, and other peacetime activities.

With a light displacement of 14,000 tons the LP-X is not only be the largest vessel in the Korean Navy but also substantially larger than the similar Osumi-class landing ship (8,900 tons) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, and with a larger payload capacity as well, making it the regions largest of its kind. Previously, the largest ship in the Korean Navy was the 9,000-ton support vessel Cheonji.

The LPX is a high-speed amphibious ship, based on the concept of "over-the- horizon assault." As the name indicates, the "over-the-horizon assault" comprises a military operation in which an amphibious landing operation is conducted with high-speed air-cushioned vehicles and helicopters from beyond the horizon, where they can’t be detected or attacked by the enemy. The conventional LST (landing ship tank) has to approach the coastline for landing, at the risk of being fired upon by the enemy.

The LP-X can carry a battalion of marines (about 700 men), 10 armored vehicles, up to 200 vehicles, 15 helicopters, and two LCAC hovercrafts capable of landing on enemy shores doing 40 knots -- a mix that enables it to launch troop landings from both sea and air.

The hull consists of four decks, this highest of which is the 1st deck [the flight deck], with the bridge superstructure. The flight deck can accomodated five UH-60 helicopters simultaneously. When the budget situation is improved, there is the possibilty that the NH-90 or the E101 Merlin will be adopted. An airplane hanger can be added for the UH-60 transportation helicopter and the AH-1 attack helicopter. An airplane shed spanning the lower deck is planned with multilayer structure and 2 formation elevator and 1 cadence elevator.

If it were equipped with a ski jump board module, 15-17 meters in length, it could operate short-range and vertical landing/take-off aircraft such as the Harrier or F-35B. Ships of this type are sometimes called a semi-aircraft carrier. However, Korean military authorities have made it clear that they have no plan to convert the LPX into such a semi-aircraft carrier. However, its flight deck is coated with special Urethane to resist heat generated from aircraft.

The 2nd deck is composed with the rooms of the dwelling sector, the command post and utility system of the crew. It will be able to accommodate a landing party with a strength 700 persons.

The 3rd deck includes the well-dock for loading the 2 LCACs. It is able to load 70 tanks or 200 truck, but normally the load is 10 helicopters and 2 tank companies, along with their support equipment. While being entirely mechanized, it will be able to accommodate 1 battalion strength and the equipment and armament.

At the lower part stern there is an entrance and exit door which is how the LCAC comes in and out. The LCAC is accommodated with a length and width of 26.4m X 14.3m. It loads the equipment with a total weight of 60-75 ton fullly loaded, and can sustain a speed 74Km/hr (40 knot). At this speed the cruise range is 320Km, and at 65Km/hr (35 knot) the range is 480Km. Generally it will be able to embark the individual basic load strength of 1 tank with 2 squads together. The LCAC is able to attempt landing in the coastal areas of 70% of the coasts. After landing it is able to operate in even until more deeply inland.

The LP-X is a multi-functional vessel. It can also function as a command vessel for the Navy’s three-dimensional mobile operations. A combat commanding system, equipped with a digital C41SR function, can manage and control support vessels, aircraft and their weapons, on a real-time basis, so that the landing troops can make a prompt and effective response to the enemy’s status. In other words, it can serve as a base vessel that commands a strategic mobile operation fleet consisting of KDX-III (Aegis vessel) and KDX-II (Korean destroyer) vessels and submarines. The LP-X can function as the flagship with a command bridge established on the deck top island. The battle command system with the digital C41SR function was purchased in 2002 for 52,900,000,000 won [about $50,000,000].

The radars, which are the eyes of the warship, include the SMART-L long range 3 dimension search radar, with a detection and tracking range of 400Km.

The armament includes a close defense weapon system center, and the RAM, which is only the third country in the world, after Germany and the United States. The - CIWS [Close-In Weapon Systems] GoalKeeper was purchased in January 2003 from Thales, and a per-set price of 13,000,000,000 won [about $15,000,000]. On the are in front of the bridge roof there is the space arrangement for the configuration of the ESSM.

Thales Nederland and the Commanding General of the Defense Procurement Agency of the Korean Ministry of Defense signed contracts for the delivery of five Goalkeeper systems to the Korean Navy. The total contract value is about 51 million euros. The first system is to be delivered within 28 months.

Two Goalkeepers will be installed on the LPX (Landing Platform). This ship is scheduled to be launched in March 2005 and will be operational in June 2007. The other three Goalkeepers are destined for the three KDXII - Batch 2 destroyers, for which the contracts for the Combat Direction System, including sensors, were signed earlier this year. With this order, the total number of Goalkeepers supplied to the Korean Navy will be 14.

Goalkeeper is Thales' answer to the need for close-in defence of ships against highly manoeuvrable missiles and aircraft. It is an autonomous and fully automatic system which detects and tracks its targets, opens fire and performs kill assessment for several targets simultaneously. Continuous search with track-while-scan provides an automatic and fast switch-over to the next-priority target in multiple-target scenarios, assuring the timely detection of small and supersonic targets, even in dense clutter and jamming environments.

On 12 July 2005, South Korea launched the first LPX amphibious landing ship at the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries & Constructions Co. in Busan. The ship, named "Dokdo", is scheduled to be handed over to the South Korean Navy in 2007. At the moment of the launch, a wooden mock-up version of the Thales' SMART-L radar system took the place of the actual system that was still being tested in Hengelo, Thales-NL's headquarters. The Dokdo was named after South Korea’s easternmost

islets, and launched amid the patriotic fervor surrounding the spat with Japan over Korea’s islets in the East Sea.

Japan said it would protest South Korea's choice of names. "It is truly regrettable that the name was used on the vessel despite repeated requests by the Japanese government not to do so," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda told reporters. "I expect the (Foreign) ministry to protest strongly once again."

The Navy plans to develop another similar ship by 2010.This unit will be named after Marado Island, which is located 11 km offshore from Moseulpo harbor. It is thought of as the ending and beginning point of Korea. A monument stands recognizing it as the southernmost point of the country.

The third unit is to be named after Baek-ryong Island, which is located in the West Sea (Yellow Sea). Paeng-ryong-do / Baek-Ryong / Paek Ryong / Baeng-nyeongdo / Paik-Ryong Island is the spot closest to the 38th parallel on the southern side and the site of fierce combat during the Korean War. Spotted seals live on on the island, which is fortified as strongly as the mainland. Some think it is likely that the spy operations are still ongoing from the old spy bases on the island.

In May 2008 Defense officials from South Korea and Turkey held five days of talks on bilateral defense cooperation in Ankara. Turkey is seeking a big deck amphibious ship, and has turned to South Korea to build it. Turkey is seeking units of the the Dokdo class. High on the agenda is South Korea's cooperation on Turkey's shipbuilding program to develop amphibious large-deck landing ships and tank landing ships.