HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Launches Next-Generation Aegis Destroyer "Daeho Kim Jongseo"

Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis Destroyer No. 3
To Be Delivered to the Navy in December 2027
Aegis Destroyer Fleet Expanded to Six Vessels

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on September 30 that it held a launching ceremony for the 8,200-ton-class next-generation Aegis destroyer No. 3, "Daeho Kim Jongseo," at its Ulsan shipyard.

The 8,200-ton next-generation Aegis destroyer No. 3, Daehokim Jongseo, built and launched by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

The Daeho Kim Jongseo was named after General Kim Jongseo, who led northern frontier development during the early Joseon Dynasty, taking both his pen name and personal name. After sea trials, the ship is scheduled to be delivered to the Navy in December 2027.

The vessel measures 170 meters in length and 21 meters in width, and is capable of sailing at a maximum speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 km/h). It is equipped with an integrated sonar system and ballistic missile response system developed with domestic technology, and it also features ballistic missile interception capabilities, which the previous Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers did not have.

Once the Daeho Kim Jongseo is commissioned, the Navy will operate a total of six Aegis destroyers: three Sejong the Great-class (KDX-III Batch-I) vessels and three Jeongjo the Great-class (KDX-III Batch-II) vessels.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has built five out of the six Aegis destroyers to be operated by the Navy. Following the construction of the Sejong the Great in 2008 and the Seoae Ryu Seongryong in 2012, the company also designed and built all three Jeongjo the Great-class vessels: the Jeongjo the Great (No. 1), Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (No. 2), and Daeho Kim Jongseo (No. 3).

Chung Ki-sun, President & CEO of HD Hyundai, stated, "This year marks the 50th anniversary since HD Hyundai Heavy Industries began developing the ROK’s first domestically produced warship, the Ulsan. With a sense of mission to build vessels that protect the world's seas, we will continue to safeguard both South Korea's economy and security."

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