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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.
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