South Korea orders four additional Chamsuri II PKX-B class Patrol Boats

The Chamsuri II-class (PKX-B) fast attack craft. Photo c/o HHIC.

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has awarded a contract worth KRW246 billion (US$212 million) to South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) for the construction of four (4) additional Chamsuri II-class Patrol Killer Experimental-B (PKX-B) fast attack crafts for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

The announcement was made by HHIC on 31 October 2019, which brings the total order of similar ships of the class to 16 units.

Delivery of the latest order of ships are expected to be completed by December 2022.

The new fast attack crafts will replace ageing models of the original Chamsuri-class built since the late 1970s, majority of which were already retired from service and several were handed over to other countries. The new Chamsuri II-class fast attack crafts first entered service with the ROKN on October 2017.

The Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX) project resulted in two different ship models using a similar base design. The PKX-A known as the Yoon Youngha-class are missile-equipped fast attack crafts, while the smaller PKX-B known as the Chamsuri II-class are gun-equipped fast attack craft but benefit from having 130mm guided rocket launchers in place of large anti-ship missiles.

The Chamsuri II-class displaces at 300 tons, are 44 meters long and a beam of 7 meters, and are powered by General Electric LM500 gas turbine and Caterpillar C32 diesel engines in combined diesela and gas (CODAG) configuration, driving waterjets to a maximum speed of 40 knots.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Naval Today