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| A weapon layout illustration of the PKX-B patrol boat. Photo c/o Onyx's Twitter page. |
The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has received its second Chamsuri II-class PKX-B fast patrol boat from South Korean shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC) on 26 November 2019, based on reports from the country’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The boat, with hull number 212, is expected to be commissioned with the ROKN within the first half of 2020 and will be assigned to patrol the coastal borders of the country, especially those with North Korea.
So far, the ROKN is expected to receive a total of 16 patrol boats, with the last four units ordered on October 2019. Only the first of class with hull number 211 is in service while the third and fourth boats of the class are expected to be handed over to the ROKN before year end.
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
The boats are armed with a 76mm naval gun from Hyundai WIA, a pair of 12.7mm heavy machine guns on remote weapon stations, and a 130mm guided rocket launcher in place of large anti-ship missile launchers.
[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Asia Pacific Defense Journal
This is an informative update on the Chamsuri II-class patrol boat program and South Korea’s continued investment in maritime security. The advanced CODAG propulsion system, high-speed capability, and modern weapons package make these vessels well-suited for coastal defense and border patrol missions. It is impressive to see the steady progress in fleet modernization and indigenous shipbuilding expertise. Just as precision and reliability are essential in naval engineering, they are equally important in academic research and a quality Master Thesis Writing Service that supports students in achieving their educational goals.
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