South Korea launched the fourth Yangyang type mine destroyer

On 9 April a mine destroyer was launched at Kangnam shipyard in South Korea Namhae (MSH-575) of the Yangyang type, whose production was resumed 16 years after the last ship owned by him was put into service.

South Korea entered service between 1999 and 2004 with three mine destroyers of type Yangyang. The original plans were to build 8 such units to become the primary fleet mine force. These ships were to join 6 smaller mine destroyers of type Ganggyeong (licensive Italian type Lerici) which was to provide the fleet with minimum capacity to combat mine hazards.

In the case of South Korea, this threat is difficult to overestimate as mine activities are a highly probable way of fighting the northern neighbour still formally at war with the South. There is also, of course, the possibility of encountering mines remaining after the Chinese-Japanese wars, World War II and Korean war. This minimum reinforcement plan However, it was not realised 15 years ago due to budgetary cuts linked to the financial crisis in the Far East. Thus a series of ships of this type are on Yangyang (MSH-571), Ongjin (MSH-572) and Haenam (MSH-573).

Introduction to service Namhae (MSH-575) is a sign of a return to the original development plans of such units. It may be surprising that the Koreans were able to invest enormous sums in the construction of escort, landing or submarine ships, as it were, forgetting about such important support units for their survival. It is unclear how much the new ship differs from the original series and how many such units will be built.

First series ships have standard buoyancy 730 tonnes and full 880 tonnes, length 59.4 m, width 10.5 m, dive 3 m, drive using two Voith Schneider cyclone propulsors, speed 15 knots, range 3000 nautical miles, cannon-shaped weaponry Sea Vulcan 20 mm and 7.62 mm caliber. Their crew of 61. These units are made of MMF laminates.

Signature: TW