Destroyer
Sejong the Great-class destroyer
The Sejong the Great class (KDX-III Batch I) is a South Korean Aegis guided-missile destroyer built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo (DSME), in service since 2008. Three ships serve with the Republic of Korea Navy, each with 128 Mk 41 VLS cells.
South Korea|Hyundai Heavy Industries & Daewoo Shipbuilding (DSME)What Is the Sejong the Great-class destroyer? Overview, History and Development
The class comprises Sejong the Great (DDG-991) and Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992), both commissioned in 2008, and Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (DDG-993) in 2012. Displacement is about 7,600 t standard and 10,000 t full load, length 165.9 m, beam 21.4 m, speed about 30 knots and crew about 300. The ships use the AN/SPY-1D(V) radar and Aegis Baseline 7, and are roughly Arleigh Burke Flight IIA size but larger, with more VLS cells.
Armament includes 128 Mk 41 cells (80 forward, 48 aft) for SM-2 Block IIIB, ASROC (Red Shark) and Hyunmoo-3C land-attack cruise missiles, plus eight SSM-700K Haeseong anti-ship missiles and a 127 mm Mk 45 gun. They are among the most heavily armed surface combatants by VLS count. Cost was about US$1 billion per ship. SM-3 integration for ballistic missile defence is reportedly discussed. Six Jeongjo the Great-class ships are planned. Rivals include Atago, Arleigh Burke Flight IIA and Type 055.
Sejong the Great-class destroyer Specifications: Displacement, Speed, Armament and Crew
Sejong the Great-class destroyer Variants and Versions Compared
Sejong the Great (DDG-991) is the lead ship, commissioned in 2008.
Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992) is the second ship, also commissioned in 2008.
Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong (DDG-993) is the third and final Batch I ship, commissioned in 2012.
Which Countries Use the Sejong the Great-class destroyer? Operators and Users
South KoreaSejong the Great-class destroyer FAQ: Price, Range, Operators and Most Asked Questions
How many Aegis destroyers does South Korea have?
South Korea has three Aegis destroyers in the Sejong the Great class. Six more Jeongjo the Great-class ships are planned, with the first hulls under construction or launched but not yet in service.
How many missiles can the Sejong the Great-class carry?
The Sejong the Great class carries 128 Mk 41 VLS cells, 80 forward and 48 aft. That is among the highest counts of any surface combatant, and the cells hold SM-2, ASROC and Hyunmoo-3C missiles.
How much does a Sejong the Great-class destroyer cost?
A Sejong the Great-class destroyer costs about US$1 billion per ship according to commonly cited figures. The number is hedged, since official programme costs vary by source.
Can the Sejong the Great-class shoot down ballistic missiles?
The Sejong the Great class currently uses SM-2 Block IIIB missiles, which are for air defence. SM-3 integration for ballistic missile defence has been reported under discussion, but it is not confirmed.
Sejong the Great vs Atago-class: which is better?
The Sejong the Great class has more VLS cells, 128 against 96 for the Atago-class, and the two are similar in size at about 10,000 t. The Atago class has proven SM-3 ballistic missile defence.
What missiles does the Sejong the Great carry?
The Sejong the Great carries SM-2 Block IIIB, ASROC (Red Shark), Hyunmoo-3C land-attack missiles and eight SSM-700K Haeseong anti-ship missiles. It also has a 127 mm gun and a Goalkeeper CIWS.