The performance upgrade project for the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers, built under the Korean Destroyer eXperimental (KDX) II program, is underway. The Korean Destroyer Command System (KDCOM) used on the KDX-II class destroyers utilizes technology from a UK-France joint venture (BAeSEMA), but it has been criticized for frequent shutdowns due to aging, making normal operations difficult.
A total of six KDX-II destroyers were built, starting in 2001 and commissioned sequentially until 2008. These were the first warships equipped with medium- and long-range anti-aircraft missiles and featured a stealth design. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries each built three ships, each costing about 390 billion won (about $283.05 million).
According to the defense industry on June. 14., the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has issued a bid announcement for selecting the developer for the KDX-II combat system upgrade project. The project is scheduled to be completed by December 2033, with a budget of 197.133 billion won (about $143.03 million). The industry expects Hanwha Systems, which improved the combat systems of the KDX-I (Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers), to participate in this project as well. DAPA also plans to sequentially replace the towed array sonar system and guided missile radar.
The combat system, which acts as the brain of a warship, detects and analyzes threats using sensors such as radar and sonar, and commands weapon systems like guns to neutralize them. DAPA will hold a business briefing on June. 19. to unveil the request for proposals for the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer combat system.
Meanwhile, the KDX-II combat system frequently shuts down due to aging. The six KDX-II destroyers averaged one shutdown every 1.4 days in a 2018 survey, a 3.8-fold increase from 2013 (one shutdown every 5.2 days). The fourth ship, ROKS Wang Geon, and the sixth ship, ROKS Choe Yeong, experienced shutdowns every 0.8 days and 0.85 days, respectively.
When the combat system shuts down, it typically takes 10 to 30 minutes to recover. To avoid shutdowns during operations, the Navy restarts the system during low operational impact times, such as late at night. When the system is down, the KDX-II cannot use its main anti-aircraft weapon, the SM-2 missile, significantly reducing its anti-air capabilities.
The industry expects Hanwha Systems to participate in this development project. Hanwha Systems is recognized for successfully completing the performance upgrade of the combat systems of the three KDX-I destroyers. Hanwha Systems secured this project for 50 billion won (about $36.28) million in 2016 (then Hanwha Thales) and completed it in 2021.
A defense industry official stated, “The performance improvements applied to the Gwanggaeto the Great-class are likely to be adopted for the Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class.”
The KDX-II combat system upgrade is also expected to replace the controversial MW-08 maritime detection radar from the Dutch company Signaal, which has faced criticism for its low performance. Typically installed on smaller patrol ships overseas, the radar’s installation on South Korea’s flagship Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyers has been controversial due to its inadequate detection capabilities for countering North Korean threats.
An alternative being considered is LIG Nex1 SPS-540K. Another radar from the company, the SPS-550K, was also considered but ruled out due to issues related to bulk, weight, SM-2 integration, and cost. The SPS-540K, used on the new Chamsuri-class patrol boats and the King Jeongjo-class Aegis destroyers, is similar in weight to the MW-08 but has twice the detection range and tracking capability.
