NAVAL
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‘Incheon’ class frigate 5. Another two under construction
(the first one slated for delivery in
2018) with up to 24 likely to enter
service.
‘Pohang’ class corvette 18. Numbers reducing
‘Wonsan’ class minelayer/support ship 1
‘Ganggyeong’ class mine 6
countermeasures vessel
‘Yangyang’ class mine 3
countermeasures vessel
Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX) One under construction
fast attack craft with 16 planned.
‘Chamsuri’ class offshore patrol vessel 60. Numbers reducing.
‘Gomdoskuri’ class patrol vessel 18. Another one under
construction and 18 more planned.
‘Cheonji’ class replenishment vessel 3
‘Chung Haejin’ class replenishment vessel 1
‘Pyeongtaek’ class replenishment vessel 1
‘Sincheonji’ class hydrographic ship 1
The second ‘Dokdo’ class amphibious assault ship will reportedly have
enhanced command and control capabilities, and might be equipped to support
operations by Lockheed Martin F-35A/B/C Lightning-II fighters. New-build
‘Incheon’ class frigates, ‘Gomdoskuri’ class patrol vessels, and a projected new
design of patrol craft, are progressively taking over the littoral patrol roles of the
‘Pohang’ and ‘Chamsuri’ class vessels. In July 2016, Hanjin Heavy Industries
launched the country’s first ‘B’ variant of the Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX)
fast attack craft, of which it intends to acquire 16. According to local media
sources, the first ship is slated to be commissioned in 2017 and will likely be
deployed as deterrence against fast-moving Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea (DPRK) Korean People’s Navy hovercraft operating near the maritime
border between the DPRK and Republic of Korea.
Russia
■ Russian navy Pacific fleet
ship type number in service
‘Yasen’ class nuclear-powered 2. Four under construction and
attack submarine three more planned.
‘Borei’ class nuclear ballistic 2
missile submarine
‘Delta-III’ class nuclear ballistic 3
missile submarine
‘Oscar-II’ class nuclear-powered 5
attack submarine
‘Akula-I’ class nuclear-powered 4
attack submarine
‘Kilo’ class conventional 8
hunter-killer submarine
‘Kirov’ class cruiser 1
‘Slava’ class cruiser 1
‘Udaloy-I’ class destroyer 4
‘Sovremenny’ class destroyer 2
class patrol vessel
‘General Mariano Alvarez’ 1
class patrol vessel
‘Jose Andrada’ class patrol boat 25
‘Kagitingan’ class patrol boat 2
‘Tomas Batillo’ class fast attack craft 6
‘Conrado Yap’ class fast attack craft 2
‘Alberto Navarette’ class inshore 2
patrol vessel
‘Multi-Purpose Assault 3
Craft-Mark 1’ class
‘Multi-Purpose Assault 3
Craft-Mark 2’ class
‘Multi-Purpose Assault Three under construction.
Craft-Missile’ class
‘Tarlac’ class heavy landing ship 1. Another one under construction.
‘Bacolod City’ class heavy landing ship 2
‘LST-1/542’ class heavy landing ship 2
‘Balikpapan’ class heavy landing craft 5
‘Tagbanua’ class utility landing craft 1
‘Manobo’ class utility landing craft 1
‘LCU Mk.6’ class utility landing craft 3
‘Mulgae’ class utility landing craft 1
‘Ang Pangulo’ class presidential yacht 1
‘Lake Mainit’ class replenishment vessel 2
‘Lake Buluan’ class replenishment vessel 1
‘Design 381’ class coastal transport 1
‘Lake Caliriya’ class oiler Ex-civilian vessel, two more due
to be converted for naval use.
‘Gregorio Velasquez’ class research vessel Ex-US civilian vessel.
‘San Antonio‘ class survey vessel 2
The much-needed modernisation of the Philippines’ fleet has gained
significant momentum in recent years, the main catalyst being disputes with
the People’s Republic of China (please see introduction) over the sovereignty of
islands in the South China Sea. The fleet’s two forthcoming Indonesia-built
strategic support vessels will provide both amphibious assault, and sea control
capabilities. After issues with the original choice of GRSE (Garden Reach
Shipbuilders and Engineers) for the construction of two frigates under the
Philippine’s Frigates Acquisition Programme, a contract was signed in October
2016 with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). HHI told AMR during the
Euronaval exhibition held in Paris in October 2016 that construction of the first
ship will commence within one year’s time, while construction of the second
example will begin within 42 months of signing the contract.
The three multi-purpose missile assault craft under are construction by
a joint venture of Lung Teh of the Republic of China, and Propmech of the
Philippines, and will be equipped with the Rafael Advanced Defence Systems
Spike infrared guided surface-to-surface missiles and will be the Philippines
first missile-armed warships. Two AgustaWestland/Leonardo AW-159
Wildcat naval support helicopters are on order, and there are long term plans
to acquire submarines. The Philippines government was also reported to
be in talks with Israeli Aerospace Industries in mid-2016 over the possible
acquisition of an undisclosed number of ‘Super Dvora Mk.III’ class fast attack
craft. There are currently no further reports regarding the outcome of these
discussions.
Republic of KoRea (RoK)
■ RePublic of KoRea navy
ship type number in service
‘Chang Bogo’ class conventional 9
hunter-killer submarine
‘Son Won-Il’ class conventional 6. One launched and to be
hunter-killer submarine delivered by July 2017.
Two more are planned.
‘Dolgorae’ class midget submarine 2
‘Dokdo’ class amphibious assault ship 1. Another one under construction,
and a further example planned.
‘Go Jun Bong’ class landing ship 4
‘Cheon Wang Bong’ class landing ship Two, plus two under construction.
‘Gwanggaeto the Great’ class destroyer 3
‘Chungmugong Yi Sun-shin’ 6
class destroyer
‘Sejong the Great’ class destroyer Three, plus three improved
variants to commence construction
in the next two years.
‘Ulsan’ class frigate 8
The ROKS Dokdo is seen here underway in the Sea of Japan
accompanied by the USS Lassen and USS Chung-Hoon ‘Arleigh Burke’
class destroyers in the background.
US Navy