- An agreement for the construction of 3 next-generation fast vessels signed with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration signed, taking a leap toward the world’s renowned special-purpose vessel manufacturer

The HHIC has proven its excellence as a special-purpose vehicle constructor by winning the bid to build next-generation fast patrol boats for the ROK Navy.

The shipbuilding maker announced that it signed an agreement to build 3 next-generation patrol vessels (PKX-B, No. 2, 3 and 4) at KRW 199.1 billion with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on October 11.

In 2014, the HHIC was named as the builder of guide ships in the nation’s next-generation fast patrol boat construction project launched to replace the outdated patrol killer medium (PKM) of the ROK Navy. Wining this bid proves its dominant position in the manufacture of small and mid-sized combat ships.

In 2005, the company already designed and built Yoon Yeong-ha boat for the ROK Navy at the cutting-edge guided missile patrol boat killer (PKX-A) construction project. Since then, it successfully built a total of 8 PKGs.

The PKX-B (200t) is smaller than the PKG (400t), but it displays remarkable fast maneuvering performances. With this boat, therefore, the ROK Navy would be able to instantly respond to any conflict in the Northern Limit Line (NLL).

Compared to Chamsuri-class patrol vessels, in addition, it will be heavily loaded, including 76mm guns, precise guided rockets and remotely controllable heavy machine guns. The stealth body and noise-free waterjet system could make the enemy’s radar system ineffective.

The HHIC plans to build the next-generation patrol vessels at its Yeongdo Dockyard and hand them over to the ROK Navy in sequence by 2019.

An official from the company said, “Wining this bid after success in guide ships proves our dominant position in the manufacture of combat ships.” He continued, “We are going to keep making a contribution to the improvement of the ROK’s defense capacity by building the best warships, maintaining our reputation as one of the nation’s best shipbuilders."