Navy Deploys New Frigate Cheonan ... West Sea Operational Deployment by Year-End

Ship-to-Ship/Ship-to-Land Missiles and Long-Range Anti-Submarine Torpedoes

Protecting the West Sea with Hybrid Propulsion Systems and Other Armaments

South Korea's Navy new frigate Cheonan (FFG-826) was commissioned on the 19th at the Jinhae Naval Base in Changwon Special City. Cheonan held its launching ceremony on November 9, 2021, with the Minister of National Defense as the guest of honor, and subsequently completed equipment installation and sea trial evaluations.

The new escort ship, Cheonan, is sailing.

The commissioning ceremony of a naval ship is an event that declares the acceptance of a warship built at a shipyard into the Navy's combat fleet and raises the commissioning flag.

Attending the event were Vice Admiral Kim Myung-soo, Commander of Naval Operations; Won Jong-dae, Director of Defense Power Policy at the Ministry of National Defense; Kim Jong-chul, Director of Force Planning at the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Bang Geuk-cheol, Director of the Ship Project Division at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA); military and DAPA officials; Lee Seong-woo, Chairman of the Cheonan Families Association; bereaved families; former Cheonan (PCC-772) Captain Choi Won-il and other veterans; former commanders of the Cheonan; and Yoon Gong-yong, Chairman of the Cheonan Foundation, who all celebrated the commissioning of Cheonan (FFG-826) and encouraged its crew.

The commissioning flag signaling the commissioning of Cheonan (FFG-826) was raised directly by Lieutenant Colonel Park Yeon-su (retired) and Master Sergeant Ryu Ji-wook, veterans of Cheonan (PCC-772). It was hoped that the newly revived Cheonan would firmly protect the West Sea, inheriting the noble sacrifices of the West Sea defense warriors and the will to safeguard the maritime domain.

The Cheonan commissioned on this day is the 7th new frigate constructed to replace the old frigates (FF, 1500 tons class) and patrol ships (PCC, 1000 tons class), with construction having started on June 17, 2020.

Cheonan measures 122 meters in length, 14 meters in width, 35 meters in height, and displaces 2800 tons. It has a top speed of 30 knots (55 km/h) and can carry one maritime operational helicopter. It is also equipped with armaments including a 5-inch naval gun, 20mm Phalanx CIWS, anti-ship missiles, and Korean Vertical Launching System (KVLS) capable of launching surface-to-surface guided missiles, long-range anti-submarine torpedoes, and missile defense guided missiles.

Cheonan is equipped with a hull-mounted sonar (HMS) as well as a towed array sonar system (TASS), which was not present on the previous Cheonan (PCC-772), enabling detection of submarines at long distances. It also carries the Hong Sang-eo long-range anti-submarine torpedo, allowing it to attack targets while ensuring survivability against submarines.

Notably, Cheonan features a hybrid propulsion system combining electric propulsion motors and gas turbine engines, significantly enhancing its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. During normal operations, it uses the low-noise electric propulsion motor to stealthily navigate and avoid submarine detection, and switches to the gas turbine engine for high-speed maneuvers when facing submarine threats.

After commissioning, Cheonan will undergo a process of force integration and operational capability evaluation, with plans to be deployed operationally in the West Sea by the end of 2023.

Commander Kim said, "The Cheonan, revived with the patriotic devotion of the 46 Cheonan heroes and the national will, will perfectly fulfill its maritime defense mission as a core force of the Republic of Korea Navy," and urged, "I ask all crew members, led by the captain, to unite and make Cheonan the most powerful combat ship."

Commander Han Kyu-cheol of Cheonan said, "It is especially meaningful that bereaved families and veterans joined the commissioning ceremony declaring that our Cheonan has become a combat ship of the Navy," adding, "Our Cheonan and crew, inheriting the noble sacrifices and maritime defense will of the West Sea warriors, will protect the West Sea perfectly under any circumstances with pride and confidence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.