Korean builder Hanwha Ocean presented a range of frigates including the second batch of FFX at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth. The approach underlined Hanwha’s shipbuilding expertise, international experience and the flexibility of its proposed basic design for the second batch of FFX. Australian SEA 3000 Requirements. like Navy News He explained during coverage The follower Various offers At IODS 2024, the ongoing and controversial SEA 3000 effort to build 11 general purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy was a major topic among exhibitors at the event.
In this context, Hanwha Ocean (formerly DSME), one of the Korean contenders in this effort along with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), has presented the FFX Batch II frigate. The design is also known as Daigo-Season In Korean serviceThere were two additional models part of the show. One was the Thai model. Bhumibol Adulyadej– A frigate of the – class which DSME was originally delivered In 2019. The final model was a new proposal from Hanwha, called the Ocean 4300 frigate.
FFX Batch II Features Details
Hanwha Ocean was responsible for the detailed design and construction of the lead ship for the second batch of FFX program. The South Korean Navy has delivered eight batches of the program. Daigo– Of the class between 2018 and 2023, half were built by Hanwha and the other half by Hyundai Heavy Industries. Along with The third installment of FFX developed by HHI. the Daigo-class is one of the “examples” of the SEA 3000.
the DaigoThe class is 122 metres long and 14 metres wide. The full load displacement is 3,600 tonnes. The missile armament on the ships is a 16-cell K-VLS system for launching the K-SAAM short-range air defence missile. Daigo The ship also carries two quadruple launchers for the Korean C-Star SSM-700 series AShM and two triple launchers for the Korean lightweight ASW torpedoes. The armament is completed by a US Mk 45 5-inch (127 mm) main gun and a Phalanx 20 mm CIWS system. The ship has a range of 4,500 nautical miles. Propulsion is diesel-electric or gas turbine (CODLOG) type, similar to the HHI Batch 3 design.
Thai FFX’s second batch variant shows alternative weapon options
The Thai vessel on display at IODS 2024 demonstrates the flexibility of the basic design which also accommodates major modifications to armament and propulsion. Bhumibol Adulyadej Two metres longer and 100 tonnes heavier than the FFX Batch II, the armament includes an eight-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system for ESSM and RUM-139 ASROC quadruple-propelled missiles. The AShM carried is a Harpoon, the main gun is a Leonardo Super Rapid 76mm, and two 30mm autocannons from MSI Defence can engage surface targets at close range. For anti-submarine missions, the Thai vessel carries lightweight Mk 54 torpedoes and offers space on the deck and hangar for an MH-60R or similar helicopter.
The sensor and combat management system demonstrates the great focus on technology provided by Saab. The medium and long range radars carried are Sea Giraffe 4A AESA and AMB PESA. The combat management system is Saab 9LV, Also used by RAN. On their Anzac class in an earlier iteration.
Propulsion is the final aspect worth noting, as the Thai vessel uses a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG) system. The gas turbine used is a GE LM2500, unlike the FFX II and III, which use the RR MT30.
Ocean 4300 frigate designed to meet Australian expectations
Last but not least, Hanwha displayed the Ocean 4300 frigate. As Scott Koh, Hanwha Ocean’s chief executive, explained, Navy NewsThe Ocean 4300 is a modified FFX Batch II that incorporates the armament of the Thai frigate. The stated aim of the new proposal is to “improve compatibility with the Royal Australian Navy”. As a result, the concept abandons the K-VLS system and instead features a 32-cell Mk 41. Propulsion and other basic features are similar to the FFX Batch II.
The second interesting aspect of the Ocean 4300 is the new integrated mast shown in the model. The design is not exactly identical to the I-Mast. Developed by Hanwha For the third batch of FFX. The Korean manufacturer showed the I-Mast as a detailed model at its booth at IODS 2024. Instead, the arrangement is somewhat reminiscent of the CEAFAR mast. It was also developed for Anzac.However, the mast design lacked any details such as actual radar panels. The Ocean 4300 mast also included other equipment consistent with the FFX Batch III configuration. For the record, Hanwha Ocean last year Won contract to build the last two ships In FFX Batch III.
The overall impression Hanwha left at IODS 2024 was that the company was keen to emphasize a great deal of design flexibility to meet the theoretical SEA 3000 requirements. At the same time, the solutions the company is offering to the Korean Navy and a current export customer demonstrate the company’s ability to manage complex defense procurement.
The Australian government has yet to announce a clear timeframe for further decisions on the SEA 3000 project, including the possibility of scaling back production to meet the RAN’s required delivery of the first airframe by 2029.
Watch our video interview with Hanwha Ocean at IODS 2024:
