South Korea receives first enhanced minesweeper
ROKS Namhae was formally handed over to South Korea’s navy on 19 November. (DAPA)
South Korea is building three additional minesweepers, with the first recently handed over to the navy.
As part of efforts to enhance mine countermeasures capabilities, especially around major ports, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has received the first of a second batch of three Yangyang-class minesweepers ordered by Seoul in November 2010.
Named Namhae (MSH 575), the 59.4 m-long vessel was handed over by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on 19 November and is expected to enter operational service following a three-month evaluation period.
Built by Kangnam Corporation in Busan, Namhae was launched in April 2020 – more than 15 years after the last minesweeper of the first batch was commissioned.
The two
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment]()
Australian industry programme builds pipeline for Virginia-class sustainment
Australian businesses can now bid to support Virginia-class submarine sustainment in Western Australia, as momentum around the Henderson Defence Precinct also builds.
-
![South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest]()
South Korea, Japan and Turkey vie for US shipbuilding access in future frigate contest
Washington’s search for a foreign-built frigate could hand South Korea, Japan and Turkey a larger prize than a double-hull order: a foothold inside the US shipbuilding industrial base.
-
![Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline]()
Japan’s FY2027 budget bets on stand-off systems to offset demographic decline
Japan’s FY2027 defence budget backs stand-off strike, a 17-aircraft MQ-9B buy and a declared bid to lead the world in uncrewed maritime assets, alongside new frigates, submarines and support ships.
-
![Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand]()
Russia’s uncrewed boat portfolio hints at future naval demand
Ukrainian intelligence has catalogued more than 20 Russian uncrewed surface vessels, revealing a portfolio weighted towards mine warfare and logistics, with implications for Western naval investment.
-
![Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones]()
Ukraine’s new long-range 12m autonomous vessel can deploy other drones
Ukraine’s UForce unveiled the MV11 uncrewed surface vessel, designed to launch and support other naval drones at sea, fuelling debate over the future of autonomous maritime task groups.
