Preferred Designer is Chosen For South Korean Future Frigate

By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.

The Republic of Korea Navy has selected Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) as the preferred designer for the Future Frigate (FFX) program. Twenty-four units are now being planned for the program.

The latest timeline for the FFX Program is as follows:

• Request for Proposals for construction will be issued to HHI by early 2007;
• A construction contract will be awarded in 2008;
• The first six units (Phase 1) will be built through 2015, with the first unit being commissioned in 2011;
• Phase 2: Nine ships will be built from 2015-2023;
• Phase 3: Nine ships will be built from 2021-2028, completing the class at 24 units.

Preliminary designs indicate the new frigates will be around 335 feet in length and displace 2,300 tons. They will have a maximum speed of 30 knots with a cruising speed of 18 knots.

Sources indicate the new frigates will have the following subsystems:

• Indigenous 3D radar similar to the SMART-S Mk2;
• Two Ceros 200 multisensor directors;
• Indigenous sonar;
• Eight SSM-700K surface-to-surface missiles;
• One Rolling Airframe Missile launcher;
• One 76mm gun;
• One Korean Close-in Weapon System;
• Korean lightweight torpedoes.

The Republic of Korea Navy also has issued a request for proposals for the acquisition of deep-submergence rescue vehicles (DSRV). A new DSRV will replace the LR5K currently operated by the Korean Navy from the ROKS Cheonghaejin. It is expected that at least two DSRVs will be procured under this program.

Malaysia Interested In BAE Frigates

BAE Systems has received a letter of intent from the government of Malaysia for the procurement of two frigates, plus options for two more, for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Design stipulations for the new frigates were not disclosed. Reports indicate they will likely resemble the Lekiu class that was procured from BAE Systems in the late 1990s, with some modifications including possible changes in weapons and sensors. The new units will be built in the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

BAE Systems has partnered with Malaysia’s Labuan Shipyard and Engineering for the project. BAE Systems will build some of the sections in Scotsoun and Labuan will undertake significant elements of construction, including the assembly and launch of both hulls. In addition, the Malaysian supply chain will contribute significantly to the program as one of the requirements for this project is to support the “Made in Malaysia” theme.

With the letter of intent now complete, a construction contract could be in place by early 2007, with construction beginning at both locations by the close of 2007.

Belgian To Receive First Frigate in 2007

The first of two Royal Netherlands Navy Karel Doorman-class frigates scheduled to be transferred to the Belgian Navy unit is now undergoing a refit in Den Helder. It will be completed and transferred to Belgium by March 2007. The Ex-Karel Doorman will be recommissioned the BNS Leopold when delivered.

The Ex-William van de Zaan will receive the same overhaul at Den Helder beginning in April 2007 and be renamed the BNS Louise Marie when it is recommissioned into the Belgian Navy in March 2008.

AMI International Inc., Bremerton, Wash., is an international consulting and naval intelligence services company located on the web at www.amiinter.com.