ROKS Chuncheon

History
South Korea
Name	Chuncheon (춘천)
Namesake	Chuncheon
Builder	Hyundai
Launched	22 March 2022
Commissioned	24 October 2023
Identification	Pennant number: FFG-827
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Daegu-class frigate
Displacement	2,800 tonnes (2,756 long tons) light 3,592 tonnes (3,535 long tons) full load
Length	122 m (400 ft)
Beam	14 m (46 ft)
Draft	4 m (13 ft)
Propulsion	Combined diesel-electric or gas 1 × Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbine 4 × MTU 12V 4000 M53B diesel engine 2 × Leonardo DRS electric motors
Speed	30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) (max) 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) (cruising)
Range	4,500 nautical miles (8,000 km)
Complement	140
Sensors and processing systems	SPS-550K air search 3D radar SPG-540K fire control radar SQS-240K hull-mounted sonar SQR-250K towed array sonar system SAQ-540K EOTS Hanwha Systems SAQ-600K IRSTs Naval Shield Integrated Combat Management System
Electronic warfare & decoys	LIG Nex1 SLQ-200(V)K Sonata electronic warfare suite SLQ-261K torpedo acoustic counter measures MASS decoy launchers
Armament	1 × 5 inch (127 mm)/L62 caliber Mk 45 Mod 4 naval gun 1 × 20 mm Phalanx CIWS 2 × triple torpedo tubes for K745 Blue Shark torpedo 8 × SSM-700K Haeseong Anti-ship Missile 16-cell K-VLS for: Haegung K-SAAM quadpacked in 4 per cell Haeryong VL-Tactical Land Attack Missiles K-ASROC Red Shark
Aircraft carried	Super Lynx or AW159 helicopter
Aviation facilities	Flight deck and enclosed hangar for one medium-lift helicopter

ROKS Chuncheon (FFG-827) is the eighth and final ship of the Daegu-class frigate in the Republic of Korea Navy. She is named after the city, Chuncheon.

Development

Main article: Daegu-class frigate

Daegu-class is an improved variant of the Incheon-class frigate. Modifications to the Incheon-class include a TB-250K towed array sonar system and a 16-cell Korean Vertical Launching System (K-VLS) that is able to deploy the K-SAAM, Hong Sang Eo anti-submarine missile, and Haeryong tactical land attack cruise missiles. ^[1]

The hull design is generally based on that of the Incheon-class. However, as a part of weapon system modifications, the superstructure has been significantly changed. The hangar and a helicopter deck on stern has been enlarged to support the operation of a 10-ton helicopter. ^{[2] [3]}

Construction and career

ROKS Chuncheon was launched on 22 March 2022 by Hyundai Heavy Industries and was commissioned on 24 October 2023. ^[4]

References

1. ROK Navy Launches New Warship Capable of Hitting Targets Inside North Korea - Thediplomat.com, 9 June 2016
2. "Koreas New Coastal Frigates: the FFX Incheon Class".
3. South Korea Orders Two Daegu-class FFX-II Frigates Ahead of Schedule to Support Shipbuilder - Navyrecognition.com, 21 December 2016
4. "South Korea Commissions Final Daegu-Class FFX Batch II Frigate". 24 Oct 2023.