Although equipped with only 3 KDX-3 missile destroyers, South Korea is still confident enough to be able to "weigh" North Korea's poor fleet of warships.
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| The Sejong the Great-class destroyer, also known as KDX-3, is a class of guided missile destroyers developed under the next-generation KDX-class destroyer project of the Republic of Korea Navy. The first three were also built by a joint venture between Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Photo source: YouTube. |
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| The first KDX-3 was launched in May 2007 and was given the registration number DDG-991; the second was commissioned in December 2008 with the registration number DDG-992; the third, with the registration number DDG-993, was launched in March 2011. Photo source: Defense Industry. |
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| The KDX-3 class destroyer is similar in design to the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers and is equipped with the modern Aegis missile defense system. This is one of four classes of ships in the world currently equipped with this maritime combat system. Photo source: Defense Media. |
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| The ship is 165m long; 21.4m wide; 6.25m draft; 8,500 tons displacement, 11,000 tons full load; uses LM2500 four-engine gas turbine engine for 100,000 horsepower; maximum speed 35 nautical miles/h; 5,500 nautical miles range, crew of 300 sailors. Photo source: TOMF. |
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| According to the Republic of Korea Navy, the KDX-3 destroyers are deployed for conventional naval missions, anti-submarine warfare, and maritime air defense operations. Accordingly, the KDX-3 ships can conduct precision strikes against threats at sea to protect the fleet they escort. Photo source: PicQuery. |
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| Another mission of the KDX-3 is to support the Naval Air Warfare Center, controlling all tactical aircraft operating at sea. The Korean Navy affirms that with modern technical and tactical features, the KDX-3 class destroyer is fully capable of protecting Korean waters from all threats from the air, at sea and under the sea. Photo source: Reddit. |
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| The KDX-3 class destroyers are equipped with Lockheed Martin's Aegis combat system, including the SPY-1 radar, SPY-1D communications system and Mk-99 fire control system. These radars are capable of searching and tracking a variety of targets such as aircraft and missiles. Pictured is the combat capability of the KDX-3. Photo source: FUNL. |
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| The system is integrated with the MK-41 vertical launch system, carrying offensive and defensive missiles capable of countering multiple threats in different attack scenarios. Photo source: huanqiu.com. |
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| In addition, this type of missile can also be integrated into the Korean Navy's combat network system to link multiple surface warships together. In addition, the KDX-3 destroyers are also equipped with the AN/SPG-62 radar operating in the I/J band, the DSQS-21 BZ-M ship-mounted sonar system from Atlas Elekronik, a phased array sonar system, and the SQL-200K Sonata electronic warfare system from LIGNex1 Corporation. Weapon placement on the KDX-3 ship. Photo: Thaimilitaryandasianregion |
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| In terms of weapons, the KDX-3 class destroyers are equipped with 16 SSM-700K Hae Sung long-range anti-ship missiles and 32 Hyunmoo 3 land attack missiles. Two MK-41 vertical launch systems are located fore and aft, one with 48 launch tubes and the other with 32 launch tubes for M-2 Block3B air defense missiles. Photo source: Reddit. |
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| In addition, the KDX-3 class destroyers are also equipped with a 30mm Goalkeeper close-in point defense system and a system of 21 RIM-116 air defense missile launchers. The KDX-3 is also equipped with a 127mm L63 Mk-45 Mod 4 gun with a firing rate of 16 - 20 rounds/minute and a combat range of 24km. Photo source: War Thunder. |
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| Meanwhile, the anti-submarine weapons on board include: K-ASROC Hong Sahng-uh anti-submarine missiles and K745 LW Cheong Sahng-uh torpedoes. In addition, the KDX-3 destroyers have a large enough hangar and deck to accommodate two Super Lynx Mk99 anti-submarine helicopters. Photo source: idv.tw. |
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| Thus, with the commissioning of the KDX-3 and KDX-2 destroyers, the Republic of Korea Navy will be able to conduct many remote operations, protect long-range sea routes, and project power into the open sea. The power of these warships is enough to intercept enemy medium- and short-range missiles if a combat situation occurs in the future. Photo source: Reddit. |
According to Kienthuc
