(LEAD) S. Korea launches new frigate with enhanced anti-air, anti-sub capabilities

▲ This photo, provided by the Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on April 29, 2026, shows the new ROKS Jeju frigate, moored at a shipyard of SK Oceanplant Co., in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, about 350 kilometers south of Seoul, ahead of its launch ceremony. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung delivers remarks during a launch ceremony for the ROKS Jeju frigate in Goseong County, about 350 kilometers south of Seoul, on April 29, 2026, in this photo provided by the Navy. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) new frigate-launch ceremony

(LEAD) S. Korea launches new frigate with enhanced anti-air, anti-sub capabilities

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; ADDS details in paras 4-5, photo)

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea held a launch ceremony Wednesday for a new homegrown 3,600-ton frigate with enhanced anti-air and anti-submarine capabilities, the Navy and the state arms procurement agency said.

The ceremony for the ROKS Jeju, named after the country's southern resort island, took place at a shipyard run by SK Oceanplant Co., in Goseong County, about 350 kilometers south of Seoul, the Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said in a joint release.

The 129-meter-long vessel is the fourth ship built as part of South Korea's Ulsan-class Batch-III frigate acquisition program aimed at replacing aging frigates and patrol combat corvettes.

"Now is a critical moment more than ever to strengthen our resolve for a self-reliant national defense and practical readiness posture," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Jin Yong-sung said at the ceremony.

Jin noted the military has been stepping up efforts to upgrade unmanned surface vessels and unmanned aerial vehicles, while seeking to boost artificial intelligence-based combat capabilities.

The new frigate is equipped with a 5-inch gun, a vertical launch system, anti-ship missile interceptors, ship-to-ship guided missiles, tactical ship-to-ground guided missiles and long-range anti-submarine torpedoes.

It is also fitted with a homegrown "multifunctional phased array radar" system capable of detecting, tracking multiple targets and engaging them at the same time.

The vessel is expected to serve as a key combat ship operating in regional waters with its advanced anti-air and anti-submarine capabilities, the Navy and DAPA said.

Following a trial period, the frigate will be delivered to the Navy in June 2027, before going into service.

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