South Korea commissions its first next-generation Aegis destroyer

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — South Korea’s navy formally received the first of a new class of guided-missile destroyer equipped with the Aegis combat system late last month. Such vessels, equipped to counter ballistic missiles, are deemed vital to help Seoul neutralize threats from the North.

Built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, the new 8,200-ton vessel is christened ROKS Jeongjo the Great. It belongs to the KDX-III Batch II class that will eventually comprise three vessels, these being the largest surface combatants Korea has ever built.

Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) had contracted the warship’s construction in October 2019, and it was duly launched on July 28, 2022.

The navy explained, “We evaluate that the Jeongjo the Great – which is equipped with the ability to intercept ballistic missiles and strike enemy leadership and key strategic targets – will demonstrate a strong deterrent against North Korea to repel enemy provocations in the event of an emergency.”

Further, DAPA said this vessel “is expected to play a key role in the sea-based maneuvering ‘Three-Axis system’ by possessing the ability to detect and track ballistic missiles as well as intercept them.”

This “Three-Axis system” refers to three connected defense initiatives aimed at negating Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile threat.

DAPA said the new destroyer’s “combat capabilities have dramatically improved” compared to the preceding 7,600-ton KDX-III Batch I class, three of which were commissioned from 2008-2012.

The 170m-long (558 foot) vessel is stealthier and is heavily armed with anti-ship missiles, surface-to-surface missiles plus air defense missiles that include the SM-3 and SM-6. Other weapons include a 5-inch naval gun and close-in weapon system, plus it is well equipped for anti-submarine warfare.

Commodore Shin Hyun-seung, head of DAPA’s Shipbuilding Division, confirmed: “Jeongjo the Great is equipped with the latest Aegis combat system, an integrated sonar system developed domestically, and a Korean vertical launching system, so it can respond to various threats such as ballistic missiles, and is expected to play a strong role as a guardian of our national security.”

In fact, it is the first warship to adopt the Korean Vertical Launching System II. According to the Ministry of National Defense, the destroyer also features improved habitability with larger crew compartment spaces and even a wireless network allowing crew members to instantly communicate with each other using smart devices.

The second destroyer of the class is scheduled to launch next year, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries commenced construction of the third ship on Oct. 17. These two vessels should be delivered in 2026 and 2027 respectively, according to the shipbuilder.

ROKS Jeongjo the Great will undergo around a year of operational training before officially deploying in late 2025.

Gordon Arthur is an Asia correspondent for Defense News. After a 20-year stint working in Hong Kong, he now resides in New Zealand. He has attended military exercises and defense exhibitions in about 20 countries around the Asia-Pacific region.

新西兰基督城——上月底，韩国海军正式接收了首艘配备宙斯盾作战系统的新型导弹驱逐舰。这类舰艇具备拦截弹道导弹的能力，被认为对首尔消除来自朝鲜的威胁至关重要。

这艘由位于蔚山的HD现代重工建造的新型8200吨级舰艇被命名为“正祖大帝”号。它属于KDX-III型第二批次舰艇，该级舰艇最终将建造三艘，是韩国迄今为止建造的最大水面作战舰艇。

韩国国防采办计划管理局（DAPA）于 2019 年 10 月签订了该军舰的建造合同，并于 2022 年 7 月 28 日正式下水。

海军方面解释说：“我们评估认为，‘正祖大帝’号具备拦截弹道导弹、打击敌方领导层和关键战略目标的能力，将在紧急情况下对朝鲜展现强大的威慑力，以击退敌方的挑衅。”

此外，DAPA表示，该舰艇“有望在海上机动‘三轴系统’中发挥关键作用，因为它具备探测和跟踪弹道导弹以及拦截弹道导弹的能力。”

这个“三轴体系”指的是旨在消除平壤核导弹威胁的三项相互关联的防御计划。

DAPA表示，与之前的7600吨级KDX-III第一批次驱逐舰（其中三艘于2008年至2012年间服役）相比，新型驱逐舰的“作战能力得到了显著提高”。

这艘长170米（558英尺）的舰艇隐蔽性更强，并配备了大量反舰导弹、舰对舰导弹以及包括SM-3和SM-6在内的防空导弹。其他武器包括一门5英寸舰炮和近程防御武器系统，此外，它还具备良好的反潜作战能力。

韩国国防采办计划局造船部门负责人申铉胜准将证实：“正祖大帝号配备了最新的宙斯盾作战系统、国产综合声呐系统和韩国垂直发射系统，因此能够应对弹道导弹等各种威胁，有望在国家安全方面发挥重要作用。”

事实上，它是第一艘采用韩国垂直发射系统II的军舰。据韩国国防部称，这艘驱逐舰还提高了居住舒适度，拥有更大的船员舱室空间，甚至还配备了无线网络，使船员能够使用智能设备进行即时通信。

该级第二艘驱逐舰计划于明年下水，而现代重工已于10月17日开始建造第三艘。据造船厂称，这两艘舰艇应分别于2026年和2027年交付。

韩国正祖大帝战舰将在 2025 年底正式部署前进行大约一年的作战训练。

戈登·阿瑟是《防务新闻》的亚洲特派记者。在香港工作20年后，他现居新西兰。他曾到访亚太地区约20个国家，参加过军事演习和防务展览。