HD Hyundai Heavy starts work on second KDX-III Batch II destroyer

The shipbuilding affiliate of HD Hyundai opened construction with a keel-laying ceremony for the second Aegis-equipped destroyer commissioned by Seoul's acquisition program.

The King Jeongjo the Great destroyer, which HD Hyundai Heavy Industries built as the country's first next-generation Aegis destroyer, is under test operation. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has started working on building the second next-generation Aegis destroyer Wednesday. [HD HYUNDAI]

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries started building its second next-generation Aegis-equipped destroyer, set to be delivered to the Korean Navy by 2026, on Tuesday.

The shipbuilding affiliate of HD Hyundai held a keel-laying ceremony for the second ship commissioned through Seoul's acquisition program, code-named Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II (KDX-III Batch II), at its shipyard in Ulsan on Tuesday. The ceremony is an event celebrating the placement of the first block for the ship's construction within the dock, signifying the official commencement of the shipbuilding process.

Korea's Navy plans to introduce a total of three next-generation Aegis destroyers, and HD HHI is responsible for the construction of all three.

The lead ship, named the King Jeongjo the Great, is undergoing naval test operations, with delivery scheduled for the latter part of this year. The second ship, the King Gwanggaeto the Great destroyer, will undergo sea trials next year following its launch, and is scheduled for delivery to the Navy by the end of 2026. Construction of the third ship is set to commence at the end of this year.

The next-generation Aegis destroyer measures 170 meters long and 21 meters wide with a displacement of 8,200 tons. It boasts a top speed of 30 knots, or approximately 55 kilometers per hour. It has enhanced ballistic missile interception and significantly improved anti-submarine warfare capabilities compared to its predecessor, the 7,100-ton King Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyer.

Its main armaments include land-attack guided ballistic missiles, long-range ship-to-air guided missiles, long-range anti-submarine torpedoes and lightweight torpedoes. It also features the latest Aegis combat system, multifunction phased-array radars, electro-optical tracking equipment and integrated sonar systems.

It also features a fuel-efficient auxiliary propulsion system comprising two 1.7-megawatt electric motors.

"Once operational, it is anticipated to serve as a key naval force for the Korean Air and Missile Defense, capable of addressing a wide range of threats, including the detection, tracking, and interception of ballistic missiles," a HD Hyundai Heavy official said.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]