South Korea orders four Solgae-class air cushioned landing crafts

A Solgae-class LCAC of the ROKN. Photo c/o HHIC.

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has confirmed on 10 December 2019 that they awarded a contract to local shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) to build four (4) additional Solgae-class (LSF-II) air cushioned (hovercraft) landing crafts for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

The contract, worth KRW316 billion (US$264.5 million), will provide additional hovercrafts to the 4 units already ordered or in service with the ROKN, serving the Dokdo-class landing platform helicopter ROKS Dokdo and the upcoming ROKS Marado.

It is expected that these hovercrafts would be used in support of future amphibious assault ships planned for the ROKN under its LPX-II program.

Although DAPA did not confirm, South Korean media outlets reported that the additional landing crafts are expected to be delivered to the ROKN by December 2024.


[1] Jane’s Defence Weekly
[2] Pulse News Korea
[3] Naval Today