SKorea launches new missile boat class

I would really love to see first hand the quality of the construction of an ROK ship against the US , JMSDF or PLAN. Pictures speak a thousand words . But seeing the ship up close and personal would give me a better idea of the comparitive quality of the build of the ships...

Could someone like Planeman, Jeff, Obi Wan or anyone in the know comment on what type of propulsion is used in this ship.

Nice pics, thx

Those ships seems very big, alot bigger than the PLAN Type022, think 600+ tonnage?

yehe said:

Nice pics, thx

Those ships seems very big, alot bigger than the PLAN Type022, think 600+ tonnage?

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I was reading on another forum that thos ROK PKX are actually 570 tons. (I can not confirm that information)just a little smaller in weight than a Type 22 PLAN FAC.

bd popeye said:

I would really love to see first hand the quality of the construction of an ROK ship against the US , JMSDF or PLAN. Pictures speak a thousand words . But seeing the ship up close and personal would give me a better idea of the comparitive quality of the build of the ships...

Could someone like Planeman, Jeff, Obi Wan or anyone in the know comment on what type of propulsion is used in this ship.

Click to expand...

Looks like Kamewa water jets?

Thanks Joshuatree. I was unfilimar with that system.

bd popeye said:

Thanks Joshuatree. I was unfilimar with that system.

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No problem, the only reason why I've heard of them before is because the same propulsion system will be used on the upcoming ferry system for Hawaii and I'm looking forward to that.

But taking a look across the board, it seems to be a growing trend to use water jets on lighter tonnage military vessels. These SK boats have them. The 022 have them. And the LCS-2 will be using them too.

joshuatree said:

No problem, the only reason why I've heard of them before is because the same propulsion system will be used on the upcoming ferry system for Hawaii and I'm looking forward to that.

But taking a look across the board, it seems to be a growing trend to use water jets on lighter tonnage military vessels. These SK boats have them. The 022 have them. And the LCS-2 will be using them too.

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Pump-jets are extremely good in shallow waters and for high speed.

bd popeye said:

I was reading on another forum that thos ROK PKX are actually 570 tons. (I can not confirm that information)just a little smaller in weight than a Type 22 PLAN FAC.

Click to expand...

Are you sure the 022 is that heavy? Cuz it looks much smaller, could be because of the catamaran structure, not sure.

bd popeye said:

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Great pic. I agree with everyone else who says waterjets. The waterjets on the Type-022 are similar in design (generally) but seem smaller... and has 4 whereas this has three.

Below is a generic waterjet image. In the picture above, you can even make out the 'scoop' intake just in front of the stern.


The waterjets are steerable replacing the functions of both propeller and rudder of a conventional layout.

The layout of the rear of this boat is actually very similar to the Swedish Visby I think.

What I find most interesting about this picture is that it appears to show the above-waterline exhausts above the middle waterjet under the rear 'hollow'. This position appears logical from an IR suppression standpoint.


Overall the boat looks very capable, and the sensors and SSMs (when fitted) seem very good indeed. The main gun, the 76mm Super Rapid is obviously excellent but I'm surprised and disapointed it doesn't have one of the several more stealthy casings seen on other boats (Japanese Hyabusa class FAC being the natural comparrision).

Shame the rear 40mm is confirmed.


For comparrison, here's the Japanese equiv, the Hyabusa (spelt?). Very similar in overall quality and capability IMO: