HD Hyundai Heavy to build next-gen second Aegis destroyer

South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., the shipbuilding affiliate of HD Hyundai Co., announced on Wednesday that it has begun constructing the second ship of the next-generation Aegis destroyers (Gwanggaeto-III Batch II, or KDX-III Batch II), which will be a key naval force for Korea's air and missile defense (KAMD).

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries held the keel-laying ceremony for the second ship of the next-generation Aegis destroyer at its Ulsan headquarters specialty shipyard the day before.

The keel-laying ceremony involves placing the first block used to build the ship within a dock, symbolizing a wish for successful construction.

The second ship is scheduled to be launched next year, undergo sea trials in 2025, and be delivered to the South Korean Navy by the end of 2026.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has already secured contracts for all three of the 8,200-ton next-generation Aegis destroyers planned for introduction by the ROK Navy.

The lead ship, Jeongjo the Great, is undergoing test evaluations ahead of its delivery in the second half of this year. In addition to the second ship where construction has started, the last ship is expected to commence construction at the end of this year.

The next-generation Aegis destroyer has dimensions of 170 meters in length, 21 meters in width, and a displacement of 8,200 tons. It can operate at a maximum speed of 30 knots (55 km/h).

Compared to the previous Sejong the Great class Aegis destroyer, the next-generation destroyer has enhanced ballistic missile interception capabilities and improved anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Equipped with long-range guided missiles, long-range anti-submarine torpedoes, and other armaments, it features the latest Aegis combat system, multifunction phased-array radar, and electro-optical tracking equipment.

It incorporates a fuel-efficient auxiliary propulsion system consisting of two 1.7-megawatt electric motors.

Write to Sang Hoon Sung at uphoon@hankyung.com