South Korea Launches New 8,200-Ton Aegis Destroyer

The South Korean Navy has launched a new 8,200-ton destroyer equipped with powerful weapons and state-of-the-art systems.

Named after a visionary king of the Joseon Dynasty, the Jeongjo The Great destroyer was launched at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard.

Around 150 people, including military and senior government officials, were present during the event.

The destroyer is reportedly the first warship built under the country’s Gwanggaeto-III Batch-II acquisition program to procure and deploy three cutting-edge destroyers.

“As a symbol of the efforts to build a strong, high-tech ocean-going Navy and a national strategic asset, the 8,200-ton destroyer is expected to boost the Navy’s combat capabilities further,” the service said, as quoted by Yonhap News Agency.

Features and Capabilities

The Jeongjo The Great destroyer is equipped with a missile interception platform and improved anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

With a recorded length of 170 meters (557 feet) and a width of 21 meters (68 feet), it can carry MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters and other types of military aircraft.

The vessel features radar-evading functions and is fitted with the newest Aegis combat system capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting ballistic missiles.

The vessel is also mounted with ship-to-ground guided ballistic missiles and long-range ship-to-air guided missiles.

Its indigenously-built advanced sonar system can also target enemy submarines and underwater weapons such as torpedoes.

According to the South Korean Navy, the service will continue to develop and acquire cutting-edge sea-based technologies to address future threats and prepare for shifts in the battle environment.

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