Shipbuilders work at steady clip to meet ROKN requirements
KDX-III Batch 2 An artist’s rendering of the upcoming KDX III Batch 2 class of destroyer. (HHI)
South Korea's navy is modernising with new vessels at a high tempo, but it is facing manpower shortfalls.
South Korea has an active naval shipbuilding programme, with numerous programmes for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) underway, including submarines, a submarine rescue vessel, frigates and destroyers.
The launch of the ASR-II submarine rescue vessel (pennant number ASR-22) at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s (DSME) Okpo shipyard occurred on 7 October. Its construction commenced July 2020, and in mid-2023, it will duly supplement ROKS Cheonghaejin of 1996 vintage.
This 5,600t and 120m-long ASR-II submarine rescue ship will be called ROKS Ganghwado.
As for submarines, DSME declared on 10 September that it had signed a KRW985.7 billion ($887.1 million)
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
-
![US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks]()
US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks
US military authorities claim to have sunk 20 Iranian vessels and destroyed Tehran’s Air Force, with the Pentagon making plans to send additional assets to the region.
-
![Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus]()
Greece’s newly commissioned FDI frigate deployed to Cyprus
The recent naval modernisation efforts by the Hellenic Navy have been bolstered by the acquisition of advanced Naval Group frigates, the first of which was delivered in December 2025 and is now playing a crucial role in the latest Middle East conflict.
