Republic of Korea Navy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Republic of Korea Navy
대한민국 해군 (大韓民國 海軍)
Naval Jack of South Korea.svg
Jack of the Republic of Korea Navy
Active November 11, 1945 - present
Country  Republic of Korea
Type Navy
Size 68,000 personnel
170 ships, 60 aircraft
Part of Ministry of National Defense
Garrison/HQ Gyeryong
Motto 바다로, 세계로
(To the sea, to the world)
March 해군가 (Navy anthem)
Mascot Haedori
Anniversaries November 11 (Navy Foundation Day)
Engagements Korean War
Vietnam War
War on Terrorism
Commanders
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Jung Ok-keun (27th)
Commandant of the ROK Marine Corps Lieutenant General Lee Hong-hee (29th)
Commander-in-Chief ROK Fleet Vice Admiral Park Jung-hwa (20th)
Notable
commanders		 Vice Admiral Sohn Won-yil (1st CNO)[1]
Vice Admiral Hahm Myungsoo (7th CNO)[2]
Insignia
Official logo Rok navy logo.png
Aircraft flown
Helicopter Lynx, UH-60, UH-1
Patrol P-3
 
Command structure
Parent unit
ROK Navy Headquarters
Components
Republic of Korea Fleet
Republic of Korea Marine Corps
Naval Logistics Command
Naval Education and Training Command
Naval Academy

The Republic of Korea Navy (Hangul: 대한민국 해군; Hanja: 大韓民國 海軍; Revised Romanization: Daehanminguk Haegun) or the ROK Navy (ROKN) is a branch of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations.[3] The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization.[4] As the oldest service within the ROK Armed Forces, the South Korean navy celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2005.

Since the Korean War, the ROK Navy concentrated its efforts to build naval forces against the North Korean navy, which has littoral naval capabilities. As South Korea's economy grew, the ROK Navy was able to build larger and better equipped fleets to deter aggression, to protect national maritime rights and to support the nation's foreign policies.[5] As a part of its mission, the ROK Navy has engaged in several peacekeeping operations since the turn of the century.[6]

The ROK Navy had about 68,000 regular personnel including the 27,000 Republic of Korea Marine Corps personnel as of 2008. There are some 170 commissioned ships (total displacement of approx. 153,000 tons[7] ) in the ROK Navy, including 20 destroyers and frigates, 12 submarines, 100 corvettes and fast attack craft and 20 auxiliaries as of 2009. The naval aviation force consists of about 10 fixed-wing and 50 rotary-wing aircraft. The Marine Corps operates about 400 tracked vehicles including self-propelled artillery.[8] The ROK Navy aims to become a blue-water navy by 2020.[9]

Contents

[edit] History

Main article: History of the Republic of Korea Navy

[edit] Origins

16th century Korean turtle ship in a depiction dating to 1795 based on a contemporary, late 18th century model.[10]

Korea has a long history of naval activities. In the late 4th century during the Three Kingdoms Period, Goguryeo defeated Baekjae by operating amphibious forces of 40,000 men. In the 9th century, Commissioner Chang Bogo of the Unified Silla established a maritime base called Cheonghaejin in an island to foster trading with China and Japan; to cope with pirates.

In 1380, the naval forces of the Goryeo Dynasty defeated 500 vessels of invading Japanese pirates by deploying shipboard guns, devised by Choi Moosun, which is claimed to be the first use of shipboard guns in the naval history. In 1389 and 1419, the Korean naval force invaded Tsushima Island to suppress the Japanese pirate. In the early years of the Joseon Dynasty, the naval forces once reached its peak of 50,000 personnel due to the pirate issue.[11]

During the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), the Korean naval force commanded by Admiral Yi Sunshin, who later became the head of the Navy, cut off the invaders' naval life line and defeated the Japanese fleet reversing the war in favor of Joseon.[12] Admiral Yi is also accredited with the creation of the Turtle Ship.

By the end of 19th century, the Joseon Navy had no significant naval force[13] other than coast defense fortresses. Although there was an attempt to modernize the navy by establishing a royal naval school, the Joseon Navy was brought to an end in 1895. In 1903, the government of the Korean Empire purchased its first modern war ship, the Yangmu.[14] The Korean naval tradition was disrupted after Korea was annexed by the Empire of Japan in 1910.

[edit] Founding years and Korean War

ROKN CNO Rear Adm. Sohn Won-yil discussing Korean War operations with Rear Adm. A.E. Smith, USN

Shortly after Korea was liberated from the Empire of Japan on August 15, 1945, a former merchant mariner and independence activist[15] Sohn Won-yil led to form the Maritime Affairs Association, which evolved in the Marine Defense Group on November 11, 1945 (later became Navy Foundation Day) and later became the Korean Coast Guard. After the new Republic of Korea government was established on August 15, 1948, the Korean Coast Guard was formally renamed the Republic of Korea Navy, and Sohn became the first Chief of Naval Operations of the ROK Navy on September 5, 1948.[16] On April 15, 1949, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) was founded at Jinhae. In October 1949, the ROK Navy purchased a 600-ton submarine chaser, the former USS PC-823 on the American civil market with funds raised among its personnel. She was renamed as ROKS Baekdusan (PC 701) and became "the first significant warship of the newly independent nation".[17][18]

The Korean War started with the North Korean army's surprise attack on Sunday, June 25, 1950. The ROK Navy confronted threats from the North Korean navy: "Perhaps the most aggressive and effective, if smallest, member of the South Korean armed services during the first year of the Korean War was the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). At the outset of the conflict, the 6,956-man ROKN, with [33][19] naval vessels of various types, was outnumbered by the 13,700 men and 110 naval vessels of the North Korean navy."[20] With its UN allies, dominated by U.S. forces, the ROK Navy was able to gain control in the seas surrounding the country. On July 27, 1953, the three year-long war was brought to an end when an armistice agreement was signed. During the war, Australia, Canada, Colombia, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States contributed naval vessels as UN allies; Denmark sent the hospital ship Jutlandia.[21]

In September 1953, Commander-in-Chief Republic of Korea Fleet was established.

[edit] Building the Navy

A locally built Ulsan class frigate, ROKS Gyeongbuk (FF 956)

Continuing from the 50s, the ROK Navy continued to build naval surface forces mainly with ships transferred from the U.S. Navy.

During the Vietnam War, the ROK Navy dispatched naval transport units called Baekgu; the ROKMC dispatched combat units called Cheongnyong to Vietnam.

On January 19, 1967, ROKS Dangpo (PCEC 56), the former USS Marfa (PCE-842), was sunk by North Korean coastal artillery north of the demarcation line off the east coast of Korea[22] In June 1970, a navy broadcast vessel (ROKS I-2) was captured by North Korean patrol craft in the vicinity of Yeonpyeong Islands in the West Sea (Yellow Sea).[23]

In the 70s, the ROK Navy, through the Park Chung-hee Administration's "Yulgok Plan" (an 8-year national defense plan "to build up self-reliant, national defense capability"[24]), began to build naval forces with indigenous technologies; this initiated the ROK Navy to build fleets with locally built ships. The first 2,000-ton frigate ROKS Ulsan (FF 951) was launched in 1980 and the first 1,000-ton corvette ROKS Pohang (PCC 756) was launched in 1982 with indigenous technologies. The ROK Navy continued to carry out other new shipbuilding projects such as mine sweepers, logistic support ships and amphibious landing ships in the 80s and 90s.

In 1973, once a separate branch of the ROK Armed Forces, the ROKMC became a part of the ROK Navy.

[edit] Modernizing the Navy

ROKS Kwanggaeto the Great (DDH 971), the ROK Navy's first locally built destroyer

Since the 90s, the ROK Navy has been steadily upgrading its naval forces. In 1995, Admiral An Pyongtae, the 20th Chief of Naval Operations, presented the vision of building a blue-water navy for the future of the ROK Navy in his inaugural address.[25]

As a part of a plan to strengthen the surface combatant forces, the ROK Navy launched the lead ship of the Kwanggaeto the Great class destroyer in 1996 to replace the former USN destroyers. For building submarines forces, the ROK Navy acquired its first submarine (excluding midget submarines) Chang Bogo (SS 061) from Germany in 1992. In order to replace the aged S-2 Trackers, Lockheed P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft were delivered to the ROK Navy from 1995.

[edit] Present: First decade of 21st century

ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976)

The ROK Navy continues to put its efforts to build a blue-water navy. In 2001, then President Kim Dae-jung announced a plan for building up the Strategic Mobile Fleet.[26]

In 2002, the lead ship (DDH 975) of the 4,500-ton Chungmugong Yi Sunshin class destroyer was launched. In 2005, the 14,000-ton amphibious landing ship, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111) was launched. In 2006, the ROK Navy launched the lead ship (SS 072) of the 1,800-ton Sohn Wonyil class submarine, which was named after the first Chief of Naval Operations, equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. In May 2007, the ROK Navy launched the lead ship (DDG 991) of the Sejong the Great class destroyer, built around the Aegis combat system and the SPY-1D(v) multi-function phased array radar.

As a part of its mission, the ROK Navy participated in several peacekeeping operations since the turn of the century.[27]

[edit] Command and organization

For more details on this topic, see List of operating units and shore establishments of the Republic of Korea Navy.

The Republic of Korea Navy includes the Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters, Republic of Korea Fleet, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Naval Logistics Command, Naval Education and Training Command, and Naval Academy. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is the highest-ranking officer of the ROK Navy. The ROK Navy operates several naval bases in South Korea: Jinhae, Busan, Donghae, Pyeongtaek, Mokpo, Incheon, Jeju, Pohang.

[edit] Senior leadership

ROKN CNO Adm. Jung Ok-keun discusses with Cmdr. Heedong Choi, commanding officer of USS Chafee (DDG-90).

As of April 2008, the following persons were in office:

  • Chief of Naval Operations (CNO): Admiral Jung Ok-keun (based in Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters, Gyeryong)
  • Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps: Lieutenant General Lee Hong-hee (based in Headquarters Republic of Korea Marine Corps, Hwaseong)
  • Commander-in-Chief Republic of Korea Fleet: Vice Admiral Park Jung-hwa (based in Republic of Korea Fleet command headquarters, Busan)

[edit] Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters

The Republic of Korea Navy Headquarters, located within Gyeryongdae in Gyeryong, includes the office of the Chief of Naval Operations and various agencies and staff functions. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) is a four-star admiral and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The CNO oversees the administration of recruiting, organizing, training, equipping, supplying, and mobilizing the ROK Navy.[28]

[edit] Commander-in-Chief Republic of Korea Fleet

Map of South Korea

Commander-in-Chief Republic of Korea Fleet (CINCROKFLT) is responsible for naval operations, and based at Busan Naval Operations Base with a command headquarters. CINCROKFLT also serves as Commander Naval Component Command (CNCC) of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command (CFC) in peacetime; Deputy Commander Combined Naval Component Command (DCCNCC) in wartime. The Republic of Korea Fleet includes the three fleets each assigned to the East Sea (Sea of Japan), West Sea (Yellow Sea), and South Sea (Korea Strait) of South Korea:

  • Incheon Naval Sector Defense Command
  • Third Fleet (base: Mokpo)
  • Jeju Defense Command

For multidimensional naval operations, there are surface forces, naval aviation wing, submarine flotilla, special warfare (UDT/SEAL) forces, and training squadron under CINCROKFLT:

  • Component Flotilla FIVE
  • Mobile squadron 51
  • Mine Warfare Squadron 52
  • Amphibious Squadron 53
  • Service Squadron 55
  • Training squadron 509
  • Air Wing SIX
  • Submarine Flotilla NINE
  • Naval Special Warfare Brigade
  • Maritime tactical information group

As a part of "Defense Reform 2020," which was proposed by the Roh Moo-hyun Administration, the ROK Navy is required to simplify the command structure under CINCROKFLT by disestablishing two Combat Flotillas and three Defense Commands, and reform the organizations under CINCROKFLT by upgrading the submarine operations command (to fleet submarine force), the naval aviation operations command (to fleet air arm), and by establishing some mobile flotillas.[29][30]

[edit] Gidong Budae

In 1995, Admiral An Pyongtae, the 20th Chief of Naval Operations, proposed to build a blue-water navy for the future of the ROK Navy in his inaugural address. In 2001, then President Kim Dae-jung announced a plan for building up a strategic maneuver fleet (전략기동함대; 戰略機動艦隊), which will "protect national interests in the Fives Oceans and contribute to world peace" .[31] As part of the plan, the ROK Navy will initially establish one task group, Gidong Budae in 2010, which would include a command ship, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111); an Aegis Weapon System-equipped destroyer, the Sejong the Great (DDG 991); and six Chungmugong Yi Sunshin class destroyers.[32] The ROK Navy plans to build a new naval base on the southern coast of Jeju-do for hosting the flotilla and two submarine squadrons by 2014. The ROK Navy aims to strengthen its control over seas surrounding the Korean Peninsula by deploying the task force.

[edit] Republic of Korea Marine Corps

Main article: Republic of Korea Marine Corps

[edit] Relationships with the U.S. Navy

Vice Adm. Ahn Kee-seok, CINCROKFLT and Vice Adm. Doug Crowder, C7F saluting the colors.

South Korea has a joint military partnership with the United States as outlined by the Mutual Defense Treaty signed on 1951. Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet (C7F) is designated as Commander Combined Naval Component Command (CCNCC) "for the defense of the Korean peninsula; in the event of hostilities, all friendly naval forces in the theater would fall under C7F control."[33] The ROK and US Governments have agreed on the transfer of wartime operational control to the South Korean government in 2012.

[edit] Personnel

The Republic of Korea Navy had about 68,000 regular male and female personnel including the 27,000 Republic of Korea Marine Corps personnel as of 2006. Among them, about 11% is commissioned officers and about 32% is non-commissioned officers (including warrant officers).[34] As a part of "Defense Reform 2020," which was proposed by the Roh Moo-hyun Administration, the ROK Navy is required to reduce its personnel to 64,000 regular personnel including the marines.[35]

Military service is mandatory for all South Korean men. For the Navy, recruitment is volunteer-based: enlisted serving a 26-month term (the marines: 24-month term); commissioned officer, warrant officer, and non-commissioned officer serving as mandatory military service (longer than that of enlisted) or as career. In 2001, six female ensigns commissioned through the Officer Candidate School were assigned to serve on surface ships for the first time in the ROK Navy.[36]

[edit] Commissioned officers

A Korean midshipman aboard ROKS Daejoyoung (DDH 977) waves to fellow sailors aboard ROKS Daecheong (AOE 58).

There are several paths to becoming a commissioned officer in the ROK Navy, including the Naval Academy, Officer Candidate School (OCS), and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC).

[edit] Warrant officers

Following the US rank structure, but unlike many other militaries, Warrant Officers in the South Korean armed forces fall in between non-commissioned and commissioned officers. In the ROK Navy, warrant officers are mostly former non-commissioned officers who have attained the rating of Wonsa (Master Chief Petty Officer) and have been selected for and completed a warrant officer candidate program. Another way to become a warrant officer is by completing a naval aviation warrant officer candidate program. WOs generally mess in the wardroom.

[edit] Non-commissioned officers

A South Korean navy petty officer aboard ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH 976) waves to onlookers pier side.

Non-commissioned officers originate from a non-commissioned officer candidate program. In the ROK Navy, personnel with ranks of Hasa through Wonsa are considered non-commissioned officers (NCOs) while those at Sangsa and Wonsa are further referred to as “CPO” (chief petty officer) collectively. There are the appointments of Juim Wonsa and Juim Sangsa equivalent to that of the U.S. Navy's Command Master Chief Petty Officer (CMCPO). The positions are filled by senior Wonsa and Sangsa respectively and unlike their U.S. Navy counterparts, the ROK Navy Juim Wonsa and Juim Sangsa wear the same standard rate insignia of Wonsa or Sangsa and only wear a badge. Every ROK Navy establishment and ship has either Juim Wonsa or Juim Sangsa.

[edit] Enlisted

Two South Korean navy seamen find the time to relax.

In the ROK Navy, enlisted sailors are referred to as "Subyeong" (수병; 水兵). Normally the enlisted sailors serve in the Navy for 26 months; after that they will be transferred from the active list to the reserve list.

[edit] Ranks and ratings

See also: Comparative military ranks of Korea

In the ROK Navy, as in the rest of the ROK Armed Forces, ranks fall into one of four categories: commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, and enlisted, in decreasing order of authority. Commissioned officer ranks are subdivided into "Janggwan"-level officers (flag officers), "Yeonggawan"-level officers (Lieutenant Commander through Captain), and "Wigwan"-level officers (Ensign through Lieutenant). All three branches (the Army, Navy, and Air Force) of the Armed Forces share the same titles of ranks in Hangul.

ROK Armed Forces rank Translation U.S. Navy equivalent
Commissioned Officers (장교; 將校; Janggyo)
장관 (將官; Janggwan)
원수 (元帥; Wonsu)¹ Fleet Admiral
대장 (大將; Daejang) Admiral
중장 (中將; Jungjang) Vice Admiral
소장 (少將; Sojang) Rear Admiral (Upper Half)
준장 (准將; Junjang) Rear Admiral (Lower Half)
영관 (領官; Yeonggwan)
대령 (大領; Daeryeong) Captain²
중령 (中領; Jungnyeong) Commander
소령 (少領; Soryeong) Lieutenant Commander
위관 (尉官; Wigwan)
대위 (大尉; Daewi) Lieutenant
중위 (中尉; Jungwi) Lieutenant Junior Grade
소위 (少尉; Sowi) Ensign
Warrant Officers (준사관; 准士官; Junsagwan)
준위 (准尉; Junwi) Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer
Non-Commissioned Officers (부사관; 副士官; Busagwan)
원사 (元士; Wonsa) Master Chief Petty Officer
상사 (上士; Sangsa) Chief Petty Officer Senior Chief Petty Officer
중사 (中士; Jungsa) Senior Petty Officer Chief Petty Officer
하사 (下士; Hasa) Petty Officer Petty Officer First Class
Enlisted (병; 兵; Byeong)
병장 (兵長; Byeongjang) Leading Seaman Petty Officer Second Class
상등병 (上等兵; Sangdeungbyeong) Able Seaman Petty Officer Third Class
일등병 (一等兵; Ildeungbyeong) Seaman First Class Seaman
이등병 (二等兵; Ideungbyeong) Seaman Second Class Seaman Apprentice

¹: No one held the rank of Wonsu in the history of the ROK Armed Forces yet.
²: Senior Captains in command of Squadrons can be referred to as “Commodore” verbally and in correspondence as in the U.S. Navy.

[edit] Naval engagements of the South Korean Navy

[edit] Major international activities

A U.S. Navy MH-60S landing on the flight deck of ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111) during the Korean Interoperability Training Program.

The ROK Navy frequently participates in multinational exercises and international activities. Also it has engaged in several peacekeeping operations since the turn of the century.

  • Pacific Reach: The ROK Navy has participated in the biannual submarine rescue exercise since 2000. In 2004, the ROK Navy hosted the exercise, which was the first multinational naval exercise the ROK Navy ever hosted.
  • RIMPAC: The ROK Naval forces have participated in the biannual multilateral naval exercise since 1990.
  • ROK-US combined amphibious landing exercise: The ROK Navy and ROKMC together with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps conduct the exercise annually in Korea.
  • WP MCMEX/DIVEX: The mine warfare forces of the ROK Navy have participated in the Western Pacific Mine Counter Measure Exercise/Diving Exercise since 2004.
  • Cruise Training: Since 1954, the ROK Navy has conducted the annual oceangoing training with the fourth year midshipmen (naval cadets) of the Naval Academy to provide on the job training before commissioning them and to foster relations with other navies around the world.

[edit] Anti-piracy operations

Further information: Piracy in Somalia

In March 2009, the ROK Navy deployed the Cheonghae task group to response to piracy attacks in shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia. The task group comprises a Chungmugong Yi Sunshin class destroyer with a Lynx helicopter and about 30 naval special warfare personnel. The group operates as part of the multinational task force, Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151) of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).[38]

[edit] International fleet review

ROKS Kang Gamchan (DDH 979) steams by a line of ROK Navy ships for pass and review during International Fleet Review 2008.

In October 1998, the ROK Navy hosted its first international fleet review in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Korea and its armed forces off coast of Busan and Jinhae. 21 ships from 11 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States) participated in the fleet review as well as 34 ships and 15 aircraft from South Korea.[39][40] The ROK Navy hosted its second international fleet review off coast of Busan in October 2008 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the South Korean government. 22 ships from 11 countries (Australia, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States) participated in the fleet review as well as 33 ships and 27 aircraft from South Korea.[41][42]

The Cruise Training Unit - ROKS Kwaggaeto the Great (DDH 971), ROKS Jeju (FF 958) and ROKS Cheonji (AOE 57) participated in International Fleet Review 2002 commemorating the 50th anniversary of JMSDF in Tokyo Bay. The Cruise Training Fleet - ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (DDH 975) and ROKS Cheonji (AOE 57) - visited the United Kingdom in order to take part in the International Fleet Review for Trafalgar 200 in 2005. In April 2009, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111) and ROKS Kang Gamchan (DDH 979) attended an international fleet review to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in Qingdao. In August 2009, the Cruise Training Flotilla - ROKS Choi Young (DDH 981) and ROKS Daecheong (AOE 58) participated in the Indonesian International Fleet Review, which commemorates the 64th anniversary of Indonesian independence.

[edit] Ships

For more details on this topic, see List of Republic of Korea Navy ships.

The ROK Navy employs the U.S. Navy-style letter based hull classification symbols to designate the types of its ships and hull numbers to uniquely identify its vessels (e.g. DDH 975). The names are that of the historical figures, provinces, cities, counties, peaks, lakes, islands, and birds. The Chief of Naval Operations selects the names of ships.[43]

There are four ship rates. The first rate ship (DDH, LPH, MLS, AOE, and ARS) is commanded by a Captain; second rate ship (FF, SS, LST, and ATS) by a Commander; third rate ship (PCC, SSM, PKG, MSH, and MHC) by a Lieutenant Commander. The fourth rate (PKM and LSF) is commanded by a Lieutenant.

[edit] Major commissioned ships

The guided-missile destroyer Sejong the Great (DDG 991)

In the Republic of Korea Navy, there are some 170 commissioned ships (total displacement of approx. 153,000 tons) including 20 destroyers and frigates, 12 submarines, 100 corvettes and fast attack craft and 20 auxiliaries as of 2009. The ship prefix for the ROK Navy ship is ROKS (Republic of Korea Ship) when the names of ships are written in English.

[edit] Surface combatant (destroyers and frigates)

[edit] Submarine

ROKS Lee Sunsin (SS 068)

[edit] Patrol (corvettes and patrol vessels)

[edit] Amphibious

Amphibious ship, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111)

[edit] Mine warfare

[edit] Auxiliary

[edit] Ships in progress (pre-commission)

[edit] Aircraft

A ROK Navy P-3 Orion is staged at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe, Hawaii in support of RIMPAC 2004

Commander Air Wing SIX is the command of the ROK Navy responsible for the operation of the aircraft. Its operational headquarters is located in Pohang, and major naval air stations are established in Pohang, Jinhae, and Mokpo. Air Wing SIX operates about 10 fixed-wing and 50 rotary-wing aircraft as of 2006.

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service Notes
Bell Helicopter UH-1  United States utility transport helicopter UH-1H n/a
Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion  United States ASW/surveillance aircraft P-3C 8 8 more P-3s to be delivered by 2010
Reims-Cessna F406 Caravan II  France
 United States		 light utility aircraft F406 3
Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60  United States utility transport helicopter UH-60P n/a built by KAL-ASD
Westland Lynx  United Kingdom ASW helicopter
ASW helicopter		 Lynx Mk.99
Super Lynx Mk.99A		 11
13
Aérospatiale Alouette III  France light utility helicopter SA-319B 5[52] trainer

[edit] Notable weaponry

A Cheongsangeo (Blue Shark) lightweight torpedo on display
Name Origin Type Versions Notes
SUT (Surface and Underwater Target)  Germany heavyweight torpedo Mod 2 export version of DM1 Seeschlange[53]
Mark 44  United States lightweight torpedo KT44 -
Baeksangeo (White Shark)  Republic of Korea heavyweight torpedo K731 -
Cheongsangeo (Blue Shark)  Republic of Korea lightweight torpedo K745 -
Hongsangeo (Red Shark)  Republic of Korea anti-submarine rocket (ASROC) n/a -
Hyeonmu III  Republic of Korea cruise missile Hyeonmu IIIA Hyeonmu IIIB & Hyeonmu IIIC under development
Exocet  France anti-ship missile MM38 -
Harpoon  United States anti-ship missile AGM-84A -
Haeseong  Republic of Korea anti-ship missile SSM-700K -
RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile)  United States surface-to-air missile RIM-116 -
Sea Sparrow  United States anti-aircraft missile RIM-7 -
SM-2  United States surface-to-air missile RIM-66 -

[edit] Ongoing projects

[edit] Korean Destroyer Experimental (KDX) program

Main article: Korean Destroyer eXperimental

Korean Destroyer Experimental was a three-phase program aimed at modernizing surface combatants by building new destroyers with advanced technology and weaponry. The proponents of the program includes the KDX-I destroyers (Kwanggaeto the Great class), which were first Korean destroyers armed with organic anti-air missiles and replaced aged destroyers transferred from the U.S. Navy; the KDX-II destroyers (Chungmugong Yi Sunshin class); KDX-III destroyers (King Sejong the Great class), which features Aegis combat system.

In October 2009, the ROKN revealed that it plans to acquire six 5,600-ton Aegis-equipped destroyers (KDX-II A) between 2019 and 2026; the Navy plans to deploy the destroyer as part of the to-be established Task Force, Gidong Budae.[54]

[edit] Frigate Experimental (FFX)

Main article: Future Frigate eXperimental

The FFX project aims to replace the Ulsan class frigates and Donghae/Pohang class corvettes with new 2,300-ton frigates. The total number of the ships to built is 20 to 24 by 2020 and the first batch of six new frigates are planned to be built by 2015.[55] Hyundai Heavy Industries will build the lead ship to enter service in 2011.[56] These frigates will be armed with the American Phalanx CIWS and Rolling Airframe Missile and the Westland Lynx anti-submarine helicopter.[57]

[edit] Korean Submarine (KSS) program

Main article: Korean Attack Submarine program

The KSS program was a three-phased project to build up the ROK Navy's submarine forces. Before the KSS program, the submarine fleet of the ROK Navy consisted of midget submarines, such as the Dolgorae class submarine and SX 756 Dolphin class submarine, which had limited capabilities for inshore operations.

Through the first phase, KSS-I, the ROK Navy acquired nine 1,200-ton Chang Bo-go class submarines. For the second phase, KSS-II, the ROK Navy plans to acquire nine 1,800-ton Type 214 submarines with Air-Independent propulsion (AIP) system[58]; the lead ship of her class, the Sohn Won-yil (SS 072) was launched at a shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries on June 9, 2006. In June 2007, the ROK Navy launched its second 1,800-ton submarine named Jeong Ji, after a military general of the Goryeo Kingdom who defeated Japanese invaders. The Type 214 submarine is expected to play a key role in safeguarding the country's maritime interests as a part of the Navy's Mobile Flotilla. The third phase of the program, KSS-III is scheduled to begin in 2007 and to build the lead ship of her class in 2017. A total of nine 3,000-ton KSS-III submarines are expected to be built in South Korea with indigenous technologies (i.e. not going under license as the previous KSS-I and KSS-II submarines).[59]

[edit] Patrol Killer Experimental (PKX)

Main article: Patrol Killer eXperimental

Through the PKX program, the ROK Navy plans to build a feet of a next generation patrol craft with Cooperative Engagement Capability and enhanced weaponry such as 76 mm guns and the KSSM anti-ship missiles. There are two variations of Geomdoksuri class patrol craft: Geomdoksuri-A and Geomdoksuri-B. The Geomdoksuri-A will be a 400-ton patrol craft with anti-ship missiles; Geomdoksuri-B will be a 200-ton patrol craft serving as the platform design for the Geomdoksuri-A variation. It is speculated that 18 Geomdoksuri-As and 24 Geomdoksuri-Bs are planned. The first batch of nine Geomdoksuri-As are expected to enter in service by 2015 and to replace the aging Chamsuri class patrol craft.[60][61]

On 28 June 2007, the Yoon Young-ha (PKG 711), the lead ship of her class, was launched at the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries in Busan. She is scheduled to be delivered to the South Korean navy in 2008.

[edit] Landing Platform Experimental (LPX)

Main article: Dokdo class landing platform experimental

The LPX project was the ROK Navy's new amphibious landing ship project for which Hanjin Heavy Industries & Constructions Co. has provided the general design package. The ROK Navy's requirements for the new amphibious landing ships were to enhance Korea's current amphibious operation capability, both in terms of assault and military operations other than war (MOOTW) type operations.

On 12 July 2005, ROKS Dokdo (LPH 6111), the lead ship of her class, was launched at the shipyard of Hanjin Heavy Industries in Busan. She was delivered to the South Korean navy in July, 2007. The first air cushion landing craft (ROKS LSF 631) of LSF-II project was delivered for ROKS Dokdo in April, 2007.

In October 2009, the ROKN revealed that it plans to acquire a new 14,500-ton LPX around 2018.[62]

[edit] LST-II project

The ROK Navy plans to acquire four new 4,500-ton amphibious ships between 2014 and 2017.

[edit] AOE-II Project

The ROKN plans to acquire uncertain number of 12,000-ton fast combat support ships (AOE) around 2017 to relieve the 9,000-ton Cheonji class ships.

[edit] ATS-II project

Through ATS-II project, the ROKN will replace the two ex-USN Beaufort class ships with two locally built 3500-ton salvage and rescue ships.

[edit] Training Ship Experimental (ATX)

The ROK Navy plans to acquire a new 4,500-ton training ship (ATX) for midshipmen and officer candidates around 2015.[63]

[edit] Maritime patrol aircraft program phase II

Eight ex-USN P-3 maritime patrol aircraft will be delivered to the ROK Navy by 2010 after completing upgrades. The ROK Navy has acquired eight Lockheed P-3C Orion aircraft through the maritime patrol aircraft program phase I.[64]

[edit] Mine countermeasure helicopter program

The ROK Navy had planed to acquire new mine countermeasure helicopters by 2012 with a budget of 480 billion won. AgustaWestland EH-101, NHIndustries NH-90, and Sikorsky MH-60S were being considered as possible candidates for the acquisition program[65][66] before it decided to hold the project due to global financial crisis that hit the world in 2008.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ "[건군 60년] ④ 육·해·공군·해병대 名將". internethankookilbo. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  2. ^ "[건군 60년] ④ 육·해·공군·해병대 名將". internethankookilbo. Retrieved October 12, 2008.
  3. ^ "Duty of the ROK Navy". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  4. ^ "해병대 조직". Republic of Korea Marine Corps Official Website. Retrieved March 26, 2007.
  5. ^ "해군의 역할". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
  6. ^ "해군작전사령부 창설 54주년..어제와 오늘 그리고 미래". Ministry of National Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  7. ^ "Defense of Japan 2008". Ministry of Defense Official Website. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  8. ^ "국방백서 2008 (Defense White Paper 2008)" (PDF). 2009-02-23. http://www.mnd.go.kr/cms_file/Focus/2008.pdf. 
  9. ^ "대양해군건설". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  10. ^ Stephen Turnbull, “Samurai Invasion. Japan’s Korean War 1592-98” (London, 2002), Cassell & Co ISBN 0-304-35948-3, p. 243
  11. ^ "역사속의 해군". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  12. ^ "Korea’s Legendary Admiral (PDF Format)". barrystrauss.com. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  13. ^ "The First US Naval Attaché to Korea". Central Intelligence Agency Official Website. Retrieved May 6, 2007.
  14. ^ "제3장 군사학교의 설립과 사관양성 (PDF Format)". Ministry of National Defense - Institution for Military History Compilation Official Website. Retrieved May 1, 2007.
  15. ^ "손원일 중장". War Memorial Museum Official Website. Retrieved May 2, 2007.
  16. ^ "Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea: The Early Years (1945 to 1957)". Commander U.S. Naval Forces Korea, U.S. Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  17. ^ "Pak Tu San (Submarine Chaser # PC-701, 1950-1960)" Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  18. ^ "한국해군50년사". Republic of Korea Navy Official website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  19. ^ "6·25전쟁 발발 당일, 우리 해군의 함정 척수 및 병력". 해군 vol. 2003 9-10. Republic of Korea Navy. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  20. ^ "Republic of Korea Navy". Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center Official Website. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  21. ^ "Allied Forces in the Korean War". Department of Defense – Korean War Commemoration Website. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
  22. ^ "Marta". Department of the Navy – Naval Historical Center Official Website. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
  23. ^ "남북간의 해상전과 남한 방송선 피랍사건". www.ceoi.org by O Wonchol. Retrieved October 4, 2007.
  24. ^ "ROK Army History". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  25. ^ "21세기 통일한국의 大洋해군 전략". Donga.com. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
  26. ^ "김대통령, 해군사관학교 졸업 및 임관식 참석말씀". Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library Official Website. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  27. ^ "해군작전사령부 창설 54주년..어제와 오늘 그리고 미래". Ministry of National Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  28. ^ "Main Tasks of Each Troop". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 13, 2007.
  29. ^ "해군 1·2전투전단 21년만에 해체". kyunghyang.com. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  30. ^ "2006 국방백서". Ministry of National Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  31. ^ "김대통령, 해군사관학교 졸업 및 임관식 참석말씀". Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library Official Website. Retrieved March 12, 2007.
  32. ^ "아시아 최대 수송함 '독도함' 기동 첫 공개". cbs.co.kr. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  33. ^ "Forward Presence". Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet Official Website. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  34. ^ "성공적 국방개혁을 위한 인력구조 발전 방향". Korea Institute for Defense Analyses Official Website. Retrieved March 13, 2007.
  35. ^ "2006 국방백서". Ministry of National Defense Official Website. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  36. ^ "女해군장교들 첫 함정근무 (신문기사)". Ministry of Government Administration and Home affairs Official Website. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
  37. ^ "해군소개자료집 (PDF Format)". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved May 16, 2007.
  38. ^ "ROK Navy Task Group Chung-Hae Arrives in Bahrain". Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  39. ^ "{해군 국제관함식} 바다로, 세계로...". THE HANKOOKILBO. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  40. ^ "'98 한국 관함식". Republic of Korea Navy official website. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  41. ^ "11개국 함정 50여척 힘찬 퍼레이드". Republic of Korea Navy i-News. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  42. ^ "부산 관함식 경제 효과 1088억원". Republic of Korea Navy i-News. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
  43. ^ "함정 명명식". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved May 11, 2007.
  44. ^ "독도함 시운전 보도에 대한 해군의 입장". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  45. ^ "러시아 공기부양정 1척 한국 도착". Republic of Korea Navy Official Website. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
  46. ^ "Navy Catalog" (PDF Format). Rosoboronexport State Export Corporation Official Website. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
  47. ^ "러시아제 공기부양정 동원". Joins.com. Retrieved April 5, 2007.
  48. ^ "해군, 차기 고속상륙정 '솔개' 전력화". YonhapNews. Retrieved April 2, 2007.
  49. ^ "최신예 국산 소해함 ‘해남함’ 취역". Republic of Korea Navy i-News. Retrieved March 10, 2007.
  50. ^ The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, Eric Wertheim, Naval Institute Press, 2007 - ISBN 159114955X
  51. ^ "방사청, 英 구조잠수정 1척 도입키로". Republic of Korea Navy i-News. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  52. ^ Defense Times Korea, vol. 84, June 2009
  53. ^ "SUT/SUT Mod 2/SUT Mod 3/SUT Mod 4 (Germany), UNDERWATER WEAPONS - TORPEDOES". Jane's Information Group. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
  54. ^ "S. Korean Navy to Build 6 Mini-Aegis Destroyers". Korea Times. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  55. ^ "2015년까지 차기 호위함 6척 건조". chosun.com. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  56. ^ "Hyundai Heavy Industries to Build New Frigate". The Korea Times. Retrieved February 6, 2009.
  57. ^ New S. Korean Frigate to Carry US Armament
  58. ^ "방사청, 英 구조잠수정 1척 도입키로". Republic of Korea Navy i-News. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  59. ^ "3000t급 잠수함 개발 연내 착수". Joins.com. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  60. ^ "차기고속정 신형무기 내달 6일부터 시험평가 내년 10월쯤 실전 배치". SEGYE.com. Retrieved March 11, 2007.
  61. ^ "차기 고속정 ‘검독수리-A’ 전투체계 시연 완료". KBS News. Retrieved March 7, 2007.
  62. ^ "해군 2019년 5600톤급 차기구축함 확보". Korea Defense Daily. Retrieved October 20, 2009.
  63. ^ "해사 생도 지원 훈련함 2015년 전력화". Republic of Korea Navy i-News. Retrieved September 27, 2008.
  64. ^ "성능개량 예정 해상초계기 8대 도입". Republic of Korea Navy i-News. Retrieved March 23, 2007.
  65. ^ "S. Korean Navy to Buy 4 Mine Sweeper Choppers by 2012". Korea Times. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  66. ^ "정부, 軍대형수송기 해외상업구매키로". YonhapNews. Retrieved November 16, 2007.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Navy of South Korea
v • d • e
South Korea Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Army · Navy / Marine Corps · Air Force
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Korea_Navy"