HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on Wednesday, the 30th, the launch ceremony for 'Daeho Kim Jong-seo,' the third vessel of the 8,200-ton class next-generation Aegis destroyer.
Key points
•The Daeho Kim Jong-seo is the third vessel of the 8,200-ton class next-generation Aegis destroyer, launched on Wednesday, the 30th.
•It is equipped with an advanced integrated sonar system and a ballistic missile system, enabling interception missions.
•Upon operationalization next December, the Navy will possess a total of six Aegis destroyers.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held the launch ceremony for 'Daeho Kim Jong-seo,' the third vessel of the next-generation Aegis destroyer, at the Ulsan shipyard. Approximately 350 people attended the ceremony, including President Lee Jae-myung, First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, Minister of National Defense Kang Shin-chul, and Chief of Naval Operations Kim Kyung-ryul.
The Daeho Kim Jong-seo is named after General Kim Jong-seo, who led the northern exploration during the early Joseon Dynasty. The vessel measures 170m in length, 21m in width, and has an approximate displacement of 8,200 tons, capable of sailing at a maximum speed of 30 knots (approximately 55 km/h).
The ship is equipped with an advanced integrated sonar system and a ballistic missile system developed with domestic technology. This allows it to perform interception missions, a capability not present in the existing Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyer.
The launch of the Daeho Kim Jong-seo completes the Aegis destroyer power system for the Republic of Korea Navy. When operationalized next December, the Navy will possess a total of six Aegis destroyers, including three Sejong the Great-class and three Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyers.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries explained that it has achieved the milestone of constructing five out of the six Aegis destroyers to be operated by the ROK Navy, having built the first and third vessels of the Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyer in 2008 and 2012, and starting the design and construction of the first vessel of the Jeongjo the Great-class Aegis destroyer in 2024, along with the second and third vessels.
