South Korea inducts second LPH for amphibious lift

29th June 2021 - 03:19 GMT | by Gordon Arthur in Christchurch

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South Korea’s navy has commissioned its second LPH into service, christened ROKS Marado. (ROKN)

The South Korean navy's ability to deploy marines and helicopters has taken a major step forwards with the commissioning of a second Dokdo-class LPH.

Even as the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) eyes a future light aircraft carrier under its nascent CVX programme, the country has commissioned a second large flat-top vessel into the navy.

A ceremony for this Dokdo-class LPH, which Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction built in Busan, took place on 28 June. Commissioned ROKS Marado (pennant number 6112), the vessel has a full-load displacement of 19,000t, and it is 199.4m long.

After a contract was awarded in December 2014, Marado was launched on 14 May 2018. Even though sea trials commenced in 2019, the ship's completion was delayed because …