HHI Launches Korean Destroyer

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has constructed the first 4000-ton class Korean destroyer ordered by the Republic of Korea Navy. The launching ceremony for the warship was held on April 11, 2004 at HHI’s Special and Naval Shipbuilding Yard in Ulsan. . During the launching ceremony, First Lady Kwon Yang-sook named the warship Munmudaewang-ham. The warship takes its name after "Munmudaewang (The Great King Munmu)", the king of the Silla Dynasty who unified the Korean peninsular and strived to protect the nation even after his death. Munmudaewang-ham, which is the second ship of the KDX-II project, is Korea's first stealth destroyer, with capability of surface to surface, surface to air and antisubmarine warfare, and it is currently the largest warship built by HHI. The warship is 150m long, 17.4m wide and 7.3m deep with top speed of 29 knots (54km/h) and cruising radius of 12,000km. It can carry 300 passengers and is equipped with a 5 inch medium calibre gun, surface to surface and surface to air guided missiles, torpedos, and a helicopter. Based on these capabilities, it can carry out omnidirectional battle operations against warships, submarines, airplanes, and land targets. Furthermore, its outstanding maneuverability, seaworthiness and controllability secure continuous execution of duties even in rough sea. Especially, for the first time in the Korean Navy, electromagnetic wave, infrared ray, and noise exposures are significantly reduced with application of stealth technology. In addition, with protective equipments to guard against biological and chemical attacks, this warship has better armor and performance than any other warships currently in the Korean Navy. Currently HHI is carrying out design work for 7000-ton class KDX-III AEGIS destroyer and construction work for next-generation submarine. Despite highly advanced design and construction technology, HHI is leading the advancement of Korean Navy's naval power. The destroyer will go through naval operations test and be deployed to the sea operations after delivery to the Navy by 2004.