Korea Navy R.o.K Navy (and Marine Corps)

urban mine said:

쉘든의 밀리터리 : 네이버 블로그

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KAAV-II test vehicle with both turret and hull combined.
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It was developed through the Design Technology Program for Warhead-Embedded Multi-Purpose High Explosive (MPHE). Depending on the mode (time-delay, impact) of the electronic fuse, it can effectively engage enemy trenches, concentrated forces, bunkers, and armored vehicles. Performance test results confirmed that the target performance was met, and the product received a pass rating.

The 40mm CTA APFSDS will likely be applied to the K-NIFV (Korean Next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle).

urban mine said:

Unmanned welding robots in operation at Hanwha.

In particular, the dock automation rate increased by 23% ->40% due to the adoption of non-rail EGW WELDING CARRIAGE. It is said that it can weld steel plates up to 55mm thick. I don't know the rest of the terminology, so I can't explain it properly. Anyway, it is said to help prevent musculoskeletal diseases and ensure safety for welders and shorten the duration at the dock.
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Currently, 120 units have been sold to Hanwha Ocean and are being applied to the large block assembly process, and sales have been made to other domestic shipbuilders. Other overseas shipbuilders are also seeking quotations. In the future, the company is considering expanding its application to welding steel structures such as wind towers and oil storage tanks.

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This is an introduction video released by Hanwha showcasing the welding robots used in its shipyard. Fortunately, English subtitles are available. Of course, not every welding robot can replace welders... But couldn't they meet the necessary demand?

DAPA Unveils Design and Schedule for Next-Generation Maritime Intelligence Ship AGX-III for the First Time

On January 26, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) unveiled the specific design and project schedule for the next-generation maritime intelligence ship (AGX-III), which had previously been shrouded in secrecy, at a briefing in Changwon. Once this vessel, which is expected to drive a “quantum leap” in the Navy’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, enters service, comprehensive surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities—including not only maritime environmental intelligence but also North Korean missile tracking and signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection—are expected to be dramatically enhanced. In particular, the defense industry is closely watching this bidding process, as it is expected to be a fierce two-way race between HD Hyundai Heavy Industries—which faces the risk of point deductions due to a security incident—and Hanwha Ocean, which is seeking redemption.
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The next-generation maritime intelligence ship (AGX-III) currently under construction is expected to boast “game-changing” capabilities that go beyond the operational concepts of existing vessels. While its hull resembles that of a standard merchant ship, giving it an unassuming appearance, its interior is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” packed with state-of-the-art sensors and analytical equipment.

The most notable change is the extensive introduction of unmanned systems. The ship’s aerial surveillance capabilities have been expanded by deploying S-300-class ship-based unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which offer significantly improved flight duration and payload capacity compared to the existing S-100 Camcopter. In addition, dedicated launch and recovery systems (LARS) for operating unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) have been added to the stern and sides. This means that unmanned assets can covertly infiltrate and gather intelligence in dangerous waters or the deep sea—areas difficult for mother ships to access—suggesting a dramatic increase in operational range and survivability.

Furthermore, the AGX-III is equipped with high-performance optical and radio frequency measurement equipment capable of tracking ballistic missile trajectories. This will not only perform telemetry missions during our military’s missile test launches but also contribute to acquiring precise information from the initial launch phase in response to North Korea’s increasingly sophisticated missile provocations.
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The next-generation ultra-low-frequency towed sonar (ULTASS-III) and multifunctional signal analysis system to be installed on the AGX-III will be capable of detecting and tracking subtle communication signals and submarine propulsion noise generated near North Korean submarine bases in advance. In other words, it will serve as the “eyes and ears” to monitor the movements of North Korean strategic nuclear submarines (SSBNs) even before they set sail and guide our Navy’s strike assets in the event of an emergency.

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the AGX-III project is a large-scale initiative involving the construction of two submarines with a total investment of 1.9719 trillion won from this year through 2035. A budget of 10.75 billion won has been allocated for this year’s initial phase, and following a proposal evaluation in May, the contractor for the basic design is scheduled to be selected and the main contract signed by June.

I’ve seen the AGX-I and AGX-II. They were very unusual-looking ships.(Occasionally, these ships are inadvertently exposed in the media or online, but government agencies usually remove them. ) The ULTASS (Ultra Low-Frequency Towed Array Sonar System) systems installed on them are incredible. It’s a massive system with 256 channels and an underwater sensor array stretching 900 meters in length, designed for ultra-low-frequency detection.

urban mine said:

This is a YouTube channel run by a former submarine captain that provides a little insight into the development process of CIWS-II. The leader of LIG Nex1's CIWS-II development team explains the development purpose, performance, and development schedule of CIWS-II. Following the initial operational test and evaluation next year, it will be deployed on ships in 2027, followed by subsequent evaluations before being put into full-scale operation.
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CIWS-II will initially use the licensed GAU-8 and later switch to a domestically produced 30mm Gatling gun.
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The design of CIWS-II, which was first unveiled several years ago, is slightly different from the current CIWS-II design. The SWIR camera, which was located in the center, has been moved to the right side of the turret, reportedly due to vibration. The turret design is also different from the old one, and the size of the four-sided AESA radar panels attached to the turret has also changed slightly.
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CIWS-II Operational Concept and Mission analysis

A prototype of the KAAV-II unveiled at the 77th anniversary celebration of the Marine Corps.

SONATA-II is the successor to the SLQ-200K SONATA (Sea Operational system for Navy Acquisition & Tactical Attack) and is scheduled to be installed on existing ships, starting with the KDDX, as well as on future ships.

The ROKN had previously operated using the U.S.-made APECS system, but in response to the system’s poor performance and the growing threat from North Korea, it completed the development of new naval electronic warfare equipment between 1994 and the early 2000s.

The newly developed SONATA-II will incorporate the latest digital electronics and intelligent algorithms, expanding its detection frequency range and improving detection accuracy. Furthermore, through the advancement of electronic countermeasure technologies, its capability to counter enemy advanced radars and anti-ship missiles is expected to be significantly enhanced.

The steel-cutting ceremony for the AOE-II, which will replace the existing auxiliary ship, was held today.

The follow-on vessel is designed to improve crew living conditions and safety compared to the Soyang-class, through the application of onboard noise reduction measures and the installation of intelligent closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems capable of automatically detecting emergencies such as fires and falls.

The design also takes into account the potential installation of the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS-II), which is currently under development in Korean R&D. Additionally, the ship will be the first to feature a domestically developed and applied Engine Control System (ECS), which integrates and controls the propulsion system, power systems, and auxiliary equipment through a single network.

The only visible difference from the existing ROKS Soyang is the CIWS, but the vessel is expected to incorporate more domestically developed technologies. We really need to retire the old AOE systems, but it looks like we’ll have to wait until 2028.

Hanwha has installed the first domestically produced ECS (Engineering Control System) on our naval vessels. ECS is an advanced control system that integrates propulsion, electrical power, auxiliary machinery, and damage control systems into a single network-based framework, ensuring stable and efficient mission performance for naval vessels. Hanwha Systems' ECS features significant functional improvements over existing products by strengthening precision monitoring and control capabilities, optimizing power operation modes, and adding shipboard training systems. Furthermore, it has enhanced the ease of material procurement through the use of domestically produced parts and locally developed software.

The first naval vessel to be equipped with this ECS is the DDH-I ROKS Yang Manchun, which has been in service for over 25 years. As it nears its scheduled retirement in the early 2030s, the ship serves as an ideal testbed. The insights gained from this deployment will be used to apply the ECS to the FFX Batch-IV, which is slated for construction in 2028.

STX Engine is currently spearheading an export-oriented Towed Array Sonar (TAS) modification and development project (2023–2027). Building upon the SQR-250K(The SQR-250K is a low-frequency passive linear Towed Array Sonar (TAS) with a total length of 2.2 km, a cable length of 1.8 km, and a total weight of 2.2 tons. It features a submergence radius (operational depth/range) of 750 m.)—the TAS currently operational on FFG-Batch II frigates—the project aims to enhance anti-submarine and torpedo detection capabilities by adding active source reception functionality. Furthermore, by reducing both size and weight, the company seeks to secure a competitive edge in technology and pricing against international competitors.

Since all Towed Array Sonars (TAS) currently operated by the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) are capable of passive detection only, this solution—once developed—would be a highly viable candidate for integration into the ROKN's existing FFG fleet in the future.

STX Engine has housed the TASS system in a container module so that it can be operated on any ship.

Towed Active Linear Array Sonar (TALAS) Technology (2022~2025)

This project aims to develop Towed Low-Frequency Active Linear Array Sonar (TALAS) technology, which enables Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) operations integrated with a surface ship's towed array sonar for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), all while utilizing a single winch system. I heard that LIG D&A is handling this project.

urban mine said:

A prototype of the KAAV-II unveiled at the 77th anniversary celebration of the Marine Corps.
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urban mine said:

Video of sea trials of the K-JLOTS system released by DAPA.
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The ROK 5th Mine/Amphibious Group successfully conducted a comprehensive training exercise in 2026 to master the operation of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system.

On the 6th, the first day of the exercise, service members were presented with a scenario where a port near Jinhae Naval Base was damaged, and they proceeded with coastal development and the installation of a floating pier. The floating pier is a piece of equipment whose length and shape can be adjusted by combining multiple modules depending on the operational environment. It serves as a "temporary dock" connecting ships to the shore in shallow waters or harsh coastal environments where vessels cannot berth directly.

Following this, on the 7th, they installed a pierhead at the end of the floating pier modules that had been pre-berthed. Subsequently, utilizing latest JLOTS (Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore) systems—including transport support vessels and logistics support vessels—they conducted high-intensity training to offload large-scale equipment and supplies onto the shore.

Apparently, it’s still just a prototype in the exploratory development phase. A more refined prototype will be produced during the system development phase, which runs from 2027 to 2032.

The history of South Korea's Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) system can be clearly divided into two eras: before and after the ROKS Cheonan sinking. In early 2010, the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) still operated a mix of older vessels. Consequently, Patrol Combat Corvettes (PCCs) were forced to patrol the front lines directly adjacent to North Korea without adequate ASW sensors.

North Korea’s submarine fleet has long relied—and continues to rely—primarily on midget submarines. The attack on the Cheonan was carried out by ambushing the vessel; a North Korean submarine powered down its engines, waited in their waters, and launched a torpedo when the ROKN PCC approached the nearby sea area.

Following the incident, minimal upgrades were implemented to ensure the survival of the remaining PCCs. (Although their decommissioning was already a foregone conclusion, they were still critically needed at the time). These upgrades included enhancements to their sonar, radar, and Torpedo Acoustic Countermeasures (TACM). Since then, the ROKN's ASW capabilities have grown formidable through the introduction of the FFX program, new maritime patrol aircraft, and ASW helicopters such as the AW-159, MH-60R, and P-8A.

Additionally, even the existing DDH-I and DDH-II destroyers were prioritized for sonar system upgrades.

Implementation of the SOSUS Line and Harbor Surveillance​

In addition to fleet upgrades, a Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS) line was established. Mirroring the SOSUS that played a vital role in monitoring Soviet submarines during the Cold War, South Korea decided to install linear acoustic sensor arrays in high-risk waters.

Areas like Yeonpyeong Island, where the incident occurred, and Baengnyeong Island, which sits far from the South Korean mainland, are high-tension zones bordering North Korea. To prevent a tragedy like the Cheonan from ever happening again, the ROKN established a surveillance network by burying sensors through the "Long-Range Acoustic Detection Sensor Program." This system detects and tracks the propeller noise of enemy midget submarines from a distance.

Furthermore, a harbor surveillance system was integrated to protect major ports. Developed by LIG Nex1 in cooperation with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), this system counters underwater threats amidst rising maritime traffic and increasingly quiet modern submarines.

• Outer Waters: Linear array sensors capture detection data on underwater objects approaching South Korean ports.
• Dual-Signal Analysis: The system then utilizes magnetic-acoustic composite sensors to simultaneously analyze magnetic and acoustic signatures, significantly boosting surveillance accuracy.
• Intrusion Blocking: Active acoustic detectors and electro-optical equipment are deployed to completely block enemy personnel attempting to infiltrate ports.

Today, the TASS (Towed Array Sonar System) deployed on the Navy's current intelligence ships—along with the massive TASS systems slated for next-generation intelligence vessels currently under construction—will continue to significantly bolster the ROKN's robust anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

K-VLS 2 Spotted at a Rest Area. It looks like they moved in the middle of the night. I guess it's a prototype?