Hanwha Ocean Shows FFX Batch II, Thai Frigate and Ocean 4300 Concept at IODS 2024

Korean builder Hanwha Ocean, at the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference in Perth, presented a range of frigates including the FFX Batch II. This approach highlighted Hanwha’s shipbuilding expertise, international experience, and the flexibility of their baseline design proposed for the Australian SEA 3000-requirement. The SEA 3000-effort, aiming to build 11 general-purpose frigates for the Royal Australian Navy, was a significant theme among exhibitors at the event.

Hanwha Ocean (formerly DSME), one of two Korean competitors for the effort along with Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), showcased the FFX Batch II frigate, also known as the Daegu-class in Korean service. The display included two additional models: the Thai Bhumibol Adulyadej-class frigate, delivered by DSME in 2019, and a new proposal termed the Ocean 4300 Frigate.

FFX Batch II Characteristics Detailed

Hanwha Ocean managed the detailed design and construction of the lead ship for the FFX Batch II program. The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) introduced eight Batch II ships as the Daegu-class between 2018 and 2023, with Hanwha and HHI each building half. These frigates, exemplifying the SEA 3000 goals, are 122 meters long with a beam of 14 meters and a full load displacement of 3,600 tons. Armament includes a 16-cell K-VLS for K-SAAM missiles, two quadruple launchers for Korean C-Star SSM-700 AShM, and two triple launchers for Korean lightweight ASW torpedoes, among other weapons. The ship features CODLOG propulsion and a cruise range of 4,500 nautical miles.

Thai FFX Batch II Variant

The Thai ship displayed at IODS 2024 demonstrates the flexibility of the baseline design with considerable adaptations in armament and propulsion. The Bhumibol Adulyadej is 2 meters longer and 100 tons heavier than the FFX Batch II, equipped with an eight-cell Mk 41 VLS for ESSM and RUM-139 ASROC, Harpoon AShMs, a 76 mm Leonardo Super Rapid main gun, and Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes, among other armaments. It also features a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG) setup with a GE LM2500 gas turbine.

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Ocean 4300 Frigate

Hanwha’s Ocean 4300 Frigate, explained by Hanwha Ocean official Scott Koh, is a modified FFX Batch II integrating Thai frigate armament to improve interoperability with the Royal Australian Navy. This new proposal replaces the K-VLS with a 32-cell Mk 41 and includes an integrated mast similar to the CEAFAR mast developed for Anzac. The Ocean 4300 Frigate maintains basic features of the FFX Batch II with some modifications.

Hanwha’s presentation at IODS 2024 underscored their design flexibility and capability to manage complex defense procurements, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the SEA 3000 project. The Australian government has yet to announce further decisions on SEA 3000, with the next steps potentially involving a down-select to meet the desired delivery of the first hull to RAN by 2029.