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South Korea's DAPA Orders Additional PKX-B Fast Attack Craft for ROK Navy

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Naval Forces News - South Korea
 
 
 
 
South Korea's DAPA Orders Additional PKX-B Fast Attack Craft for ROK Navy
 
South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced that it has entered into a contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC) on June 28 for the construction of additional 'B' variants of the Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX) fast attack craft. The value of the contract is 255.9 billion won and calls for the construction of ships 5 to 8 in the series.
     
PKX B fast attack craft ROK Navy 1Artist impression: PKX-B Fast Attack Craft. Image: DAPA
     
The 5th to 8th ships are scheduled to be delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy (ROK Navy) by 2020 after three to four months of trials. In the meantime, the lead (No. 1) PKX-B will be commissioned in the ROK Navy by the end of this year. It was launched on 28 July at HHIC's shipyard in Busan in July 2016. The 2nd to 4th ships will be delivered to the ROK Navy by the end of 2019 .

The contract for ships 9th to 12th Boat will be awarded in early 2018 in order to stimulate the recent slowdown in the Korean shipbuilding industry.
     
PKX B fast attack craft ROK Navy 2Lead ships of PKX-B Batch I. Picture: DAPA
     
The PKX-B Batch I class is a 200-ton high-speed fast attack craft that replaces the aging Chamsuri-class of patrol vessels. Sword Eagle B leads. The vessel is 44.7 meters in length. Its speed is 35 to 40 knots. It is powered by GE 6,000 shp LM 500 gas-turbine and Caterpillar Marine's Cat C32 diesel engines in a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) configuration.

Weapons include 130mm guided rockets launcher at the stern by LIG Nex1, a 76mm gun by Hyundai Wia, K-6 remote fire control system, and Korean combat management system. Reflecting the lessons learned from the 1st and 2nd Yeonpyeong naval battle, DAPA and ROK Navy strengthened the firepower, accuracy, and survivability of these vessels. Crew complement is 20 sailors.
     
Short video on the 130mm guided rockets launcher by LIG Nex1 fitted aboard PKX-B