South Korea launches first FF-II frigate

South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) has launched the nation’s first FF-II guided-missile frigate at its Geoje shipyard.

The ship was named Daegu and received pennant number 818 during a ceremony held June 2.

Displacing 2800 tonnes, the new frigate measures 122 meters in length and can reach speeds of 30 knots, DSME said.

According to the South Korean News agency Yonhap News, the improved Incheon-class frigate is capable of hitting targets on North Korean territory.

Daegu will be equipped with a 16-cell Korean vertical launching system for defense against air threats and six torpedo tubes for anti-submarine warfare, IHS Jane’s wrote.

DSME said the ship would delivered to the Navy in 2017 and is expected to become operational in the second half of 2018.