Republic of Korea Navy Fleet Inventory 🇰🇷
The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), commonly known as the South Korean Navy, is one of the principal branches of the South Korean Armed Forces. Its primary missions include the defense of South Korean territorial waters, deterrence against North Korea, and maintaining freedom of navigation. Over the years, the ROKN has undergone significant modernization and expansion, transforming itself into one of the most technologically advanced and capable navies in the region.
In terms of hardware, the ROKN has a balanced and sophisticated mix of naval assets, including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines, and patrol boats. A key highlight is the Sejong the Great-class destroyers, which are among the most advanced Aegis-equipped ships in existence, providing formidable anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine capabilities. The navy also operates a variety of other modern surface combatants, including the Incheon-class frigates and Pohang-class corvettes.
Submarines form an essential part of the ROKN's force structure. The navy currently operates several classes, including the advanced Dosan Ahn Changho-class, which are domestically produced and equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems. The capability to field submarines equipped with ballistic missiles is a significant force multiplier, adding a strategic dimension to South Korea’s naval power.
South Korea has also invested in amphibious assault capabilities with the introduction of the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships, which can deploy helicopters and troops for various missions, including power projection and humanitarian assistance. The ROKN Marine Corps is another critical aspect, focused primarily on the rapid deployment of forces, particularly with the ongoing threat from North Korea in mind.
A noteworthy feature of the ROKN is its emphasis on indigenous development. Through programs such as the Korean Destroyer eXperimental (KDX) and the Korean Attack Submarine program (KSS), South Korea has managed to build a domestic defense industry that can produce world-class naval platforms. This has significantly reduced the country's dependence on foreign military hardware and has even allowed South Korea to become an arms exporter.
Key facts
| Official Name | Republic of Korea Navy |
| Country | 🇰🇷 South Korea |
| World rank | #14 |
| Ships in service | 155 (as of 2024) |
| Total ships | 155 |
| Naval ensign |
|
Number of active ships by category
| Ship category | Active | |
|---|---|---|
| Patrol boats | 35 | |
| Mine Warfare ships | 23 | |
| Amphibious ships | 23 | |
| Submarines | 22 | |
| Frigates | 17 | |
| Destroyers | 13 | |
| Other ships | 12 | |
| Corvettes | 6 | |
| Support ships | 4 | |
Detailed inventory of South Korean Navy
Amphibious ships
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landing Ship Tank | Cheonwangbong | ROKS Cheonwangbong | 686 (천왕봉 (天王峰)) | Active | 2014 |
| Cheonwangbong | ROKS Cheonjabong | 687 (천자봉 (天子峰)) | Active | 2017 | |
| Cheonwangbong | ROKS Ilchulbong | 688 (일출봉 (日出峰)) | Active | 2018 | |
| Cheonwangbong | ROKS Nojeokbong | 689 (노적봉 (露積峰)) | Active | 2018 | |
| Landing Transport Helicopter | Dokdo | Dokdo | 6111 (독도 (獨島)) | Active | 2007 |
| Dokdo | Marado | 6112 (마라도 (馬羅島)) | Active | 2021 | |
| Landing Ship Tank | Gojunbong | ROKS Gojunbong | 681 (고준봉 (孤隼峰)) | Active | 1993 |
| Gojunbong | ROKS Birobong | 682 (비로봉 (毗盧峰)) | Active | 1997 | |
| Gojunbong | ROKS Hyangnobong | 683 (향로봉 (香爐峰)) | Active | 1999 | |
| Gojunbong | ROKS Seonginbong | 685 (성인봉 (聖人峰)) | Active | 1999 | |
| Landing Craft Utility | Mulgae (LCU 87) | Mulgae 87 | 87 (물개 87) | Active | - |
| Mulgae (LCU 87) | Mulgae 88 | 88 (물개 88) | Active | - | |
| Landing Ship Fast | Solgae (LSF 621) | Solgae 621 | 621 (솔개 621) | Active | 2005 |
| Solgae (LSF 621) | Solgae 622 | 622 (솔개 622) | Active | 2006 | |
| Solgae (LSF 621) | Solgae 623 | 623 (솔개 623) | Active | 2007 | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | Solgae 633 | 633 (솔개 633) | Active | - | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | Solgae 635 | 635 (솔개 635) | Active | - | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | Solgae 636 | 636 (솔개 636) | Active | - | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | Solgae 637 | 637 (솔개 637) | Active | - | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | Solgae 638 | 638 (솔개 638) | Active | - | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | Solgae 639 | 639 (솔개 639) | Active | - | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | ROKS Solgae 631 | 631 (솔개 631) | Active | 2007 | |
| Solgae (LSF 631) | ROKS Solgae 632 | 632 (솔개 632) | Active | 2007 |
Corvettes
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol Combat Corvette | Pohang | Daecheon | 777 (대천 (大川)) | Active | 1990 |
| Pohang | Namwon | 781 (남원 (南原)) | Active | 1990 | |
| Pohang | Gwangmyeong | 782 (광명 (光明)) | Active | 1990 | |
| Pohang | Sinseong | 783 (신성 (新城)) | Active | - | |
| Pohang | Gongju | 785 (공주 (公州)) | Active | - | |
| Pohang | Active | - |
Destroyers
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destroyer Helicopter | Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (KDX-II) | Chungmugong Yi Sunshin | 975 (충무공이순신 (忠武公 李舜臣)) | Active | 2003 |
| Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (KDX-II) | Munmu the Great | 976 (문무대왕 (文武大王)) | Active | 2004 | |
| Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (KDX-II) | Dae Joyeong | 977 (대조영 (大祚榮)) | Active | 2005 | |
| Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (KDX-II) | Wang Geon | 978 (왕건 (王建)) | Active | 2006 | |
| Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (KDX-II) | Kang Gam-chan | 979 (강감찬 (姜邯贊)) | Active | 2007 | |
| Chungmugong Yi Sunshin (KDX-II) | Choi Young | 981 (최영 (崔瑩)) | Active | 2008 | |
| Kwanggaeto the Great (KDX-I) | Ulchi Moonduk | 972 (을지문덕 (乙支文德)) | Active | 1999 | |
| Kwanggaeto the Great (KDX-I) | Yang Manchoon | 973 (양만춘 (楊萬春)) | Active | 2000 | |
| Kwanggaeto the Great (KDX-I) | Kwanggaeto the Great | 971 (광개토대왕 (廣開土大王)) | Active | 1998 | |
| Destroyer Guided-missile | Sejong the Great (KDX-III) | Sejong the Great | 991 (세종대왕 (世宗大王)) | Active | 2008 |
| Sejong the Great (KDX-III) | Yulgok Yi I | 992 (율곡이이 (栗谷 李珥)) | Active | 2010 | |
| Sejong the Great (KDX-III) | Seoae Ryu Sungryong | 993 (서애류성룡 (西厓 柳成龍)) | Active | 2012 | |
| Sejong the Great (KDX-III) | Jeongjo the Great | 995 (정조대왕 (正祖大王)) | Active | - |
Frigates
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frigate Guided-missile | Chungnam | Chungnam | 828 (충남 (忠南)) | Active | - |
| Daegu | Daegu | 818 (대구 (大邱)) | Active | 2018 | |
| Daegu | Gyeongnam | 819 (경남 (慶南)) | Active | 2021 | |
| Daegu | Seoul | 821 (서울) | Active | 2021 | |
| Daegu | Donghae | 822 (동해 (東海)) | Active | 2021 | |
| Daegu | Daejeon | 823 (대전 (大田)) | Active | 2023 | |
| Daegu | Pohang | 825 (포항 (浦項)) | Active | - | |
| Daegu | Cheonan | 826 (천안 (天安)) | Active | - | |
| Daegu | Chuncheon | 827 (춘천 (春川)) | Active | - | |
| Incheon | Incheon | 811 (인천 (仁川)) | Active | 2013 | |
| Incheon | Gyeonggi | 812 (경기 (京畿)) | Active | 2014 | |
| Incheon | Jeonbuk | 813 (전북 (全北)) | Active | 2015 | |
| Incheon | Gangwon | 815 (강원 (江原)) | Active | 2016 | |
| Incheon | Chungbuk | 816 (충북 (忠北)) | Active | 2016 | |
| Incheon | Gwangju | 817 (광주 (光州)) | Active | 2016 | |
| Frigate | Ulsan | Busan | 959 (부산 (釜山)) | Active | 1992 |
| Ulsan | Cheongju | 961 (청주 (淸州)) | Active | - |
Mine Warfare ships
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mine Hunter Coastal | Ganggyeong | ROKS Ganggyeong (Kang Kyung) | 561 (강경 (江景)) | Active | 1986 |
| Ganggyeong | ROKS Gangjin | 562 (강진 (康津)) | Active | 1991 | |
| Ganggyeong | ROKS Goryeong | 563 (고령 (高靈)) | Active | 1991 | |
| Ganggyeong | ROKS Gimpo | 565 (김포 (金浦)) | Active | 1993 | |
| Ganggyeong | ROKS Gochang | 566 (고창 (高敞)) | Active | 1993 | |
| Ganggyeong | ROKS Gimhwa | 567 (김화 (金化)) | Active | 1994 | |
| Landing Craft Utility Minelayer | Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 79 | 79 (물개 79) | Active | - |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 81 | 81 (물개 81) | Active | - | |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 82 | 82 (물개 82) | Active | - | |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 83 | 83 (물개 83) | Active | - | |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 85 | 85 (물개 85) | Active | - | |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 86 | 86 (물개 86) | Active | - | |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 92 | 92 (물개 92) | Active | - | |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 93 | 93 (물개 93) | Active | - | |
| Mulgae (LCU/L 79) | Mulgae 91 | 91 (물개 91) | Active | 1905 | |
| Mine Layer Ship | Nampo | Nampo | 570 (남포 (南浦)) | Active | 2017 |
| Wonsan | Wonsan | 560 (원산 (元山)) | Active | 1998 | |
| Mine Sweeper Hunter | Yangyang | Yangyang | 571 (양양 (襄陽)) | Active | 1999 |
| Yangyang | Ongjin | 572 (옹진 (甕津)) | Active | 2003 | |
| Yangyang | Haenam | 573 (해남 (海南)) | Active | 2004 | |
| Yangyang | Namhae | 575 (남해 (南海)) | Active | 2021 | |
| Yangyang | Hongseong | 576 (홍성 (洪城)) | Active | - | |
| Yangyang | Goseong | 577 (고성 (高城)) | Active | - |
Other ships
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multipurpose Training Boat | - | - | 자-203 | Active | - |
| - | - | 자-205 | Active | - | |
| - | - | 자-201 | Active | 2018 | |
| - | - | 자-202 | Active | 2019 | |
| Submarine Rescue Ship | Cheonghaejin | Cheonghaejin | 21 (청해진 (淸海鎭)) | Active | 1996 |
| Ganghwado | Ganghwado | 22 (강화도 (江華島)) | Active | - | |
| Training ship | Hansando | Hansando | 81 (한산도 (閑山島)) | Active | 2020 |
| Landing Craft Utility | Mulgae (LCU 87) | Mulgae 89 | 89 (물개 89) | Active | - |
| Survey ship | Singiwon | Singiwon | 13 (신기원 (新紀元)) | Active | 2014 |
| Sinsegi | Sinsegi | 12 (신세기 (新世紀)) | Active | 1905 | |
| Salvage and Rescue Ship | Tongyeong | Tongyeong | 31 (통영 (統營)) | Active | 2014 |
| Tongyeong | Gwangyang | 32 (광양 (光陽)) | Active | 2016 |
Patrol boats
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrol Killer Medium | Chamsuri (PKM 268) | Chamsuri 313 - 375 | 298 - 375 (참수리 313 - 375) | Active | - |
| Patrol Killer Medium Rocket | Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 212 | 212 (참수리 212) | Active | 2019 |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 213 | 213 (참수리 213) | Active | 2019 | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 215 | 215 (참수리 215) | Active | 2019 | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 216 | 216 (참수리 216) | Active | 2020 | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 217 | 217 (참수리 217) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 218 | 218 (참수리 218) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 219 | 219 (참수리 219) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 221 | 221 (참수리 221) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 222 | 222 (참수리 222) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 223 | 223 (참수리 223) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 225 | 225 (참수리 225) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 226 | 226 (참수리 226) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 227 | 227 (참수리 227) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 228 | 228 (참수리 228) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 229 | 229 (참수리 229) | Active | - | |
| Chamsuri (PKMR 211) | Chamsuri 211 | 211 (참수리 211) | Active | 2017 | |
| Patrol Killer Guided-missile | Yoon Youngha | ROKS Han Sanggook | 712 (한상국 (韓相國)) | Active | 2011 |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Suh Hoowon | 716 (서후원 (徐厚源)) | Active | 2011 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Park Donghyuk | 717 (박동혁 (朴東赫)) | Active | 2011 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Jo Chunhyung | 713 (조천형 (趙天衡)) | Active | 2011 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Hyun Sihak | 718 (현시학 (玄時學)) | Active | 2011 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Hwang Dohyun | 715 (황도현 (黃道顯)) | Active | 2011 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Jung Geungmo | 719 (정긍모 (鄭兢謨)) | Active | 2011 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Kim Soohyun | 729 (김수현 (金壽鉉)) | Active | 2014 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Yoon Youngha | 711 (윤영하 (尹永夏)) | Active | 2008 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Ji Deokchil | 721 (지덕칠 (池德七)) | Active | 2011 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Lim Byeongrae | 722 (임병래 (林炳來)) | Active | 2013 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Hong Siuk | 723 (홍시욱 (洪時旭)) | Active | 2013 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Hong Daeseon | 725 (홍대선 (洪大善)) | Active | 2013 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Han Munsik | 726 (한문식 (韓文植)) | Active | 2014 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Kim Changhak | 727 (김창학 (金昌學)) | Active | 2014 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Park Dongjin | 728 (박동진 (朴東鎭)) | Active | 2014 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Lee Byeongcheol | 733 (이병철 (李丙喆)) | Active | 2014 | |
| Yoon Youngha | ROKS Jeon Byeongik | 732 (전병익 (全炳翼)) | Active | 2018 |
Submarines
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submarine | Chang Bogo | Yi Cheon | 62 (이천 (李阡)) | Active | 1994 |
| Chang Bogo | Choe Museon | 63 (최무선 (崔茂宣)) | Active | 1995 | |
| Chang Bogo | Park Wi | 65 (박위 (朴葳)) | Active | 1995 | |
| Chang Bogo | Lee Jongmoo | 66 (이종무 (李從茂)) | Active | 1996 | |
| Chang Bogo | Jung Woon | 67 (정운 (鄭運)) | Active | 1997 | |
| Chang Bogo | Lee Sun-sin | 68 (이순신 (李純信)) | Active | 2000 | |
| Chang Bogo | Na Dae-yong | 69 (나대용 (羅大用)) | Active | 2000 | |
| Chang Bogo | Yi Eokgi | 71 (이억기 (李億祺)) | Active | 2001 | |
| Chang Bogo | Jang Bogo | 61 (장보고 (張保皐)) | Active | 1993 | |
| Dosan Ahn Changho | Dosan Ahn Changho | 83 (도산안창호 (島山 安昌浩)) | Active | 2021 | |
| Dosan Ahn Changho | Ahn Mu | 85 (안무 (安武)) | Active | 2023 | |
| Dosan Ahn Changho | Yi Dong-nyeong | 86 (이동녕 (李東寧)) | Active | - | |
| Dosan Ahn Changho | Lee Bong-chang | 87 (이봉창 (李奉昌)) | Active | - | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Jeong Ji | 73 (정지 (鄭地)) | Active | 2008 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | An Jung-geun | 75 (안중근 (安重根)) | Active | 2009 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Kim Jwa-jin | 76 (김좌진 (金佐鎭)) | Active | 2014 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Hong Beom-do | 79 (홍범도 (洪範圖)) | Active | 2018 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Lee Beom-seok | 81 (이범석 (李範奭)) | Active | 2019 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Shin Dol-seok | 82 (신돌석 (申乭石)) | Active | 2020 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Sohn Won-yil | 72 (손원일 (孫元一)) | Active | 2007 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Yun Bong-gil | 77 (윤봉길 (尹奉吉)) | Active | 2016 | |
| Sohn Wonyil | Yu Gwan-sun | 78 (유관순 (柳寬順)) | Active | 2017 |
Support ships
| Type | Class | Ship Name | Hull Number | Status | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Combat Support Ship | Cheonji | Cheonji | 57 (천지 (天池)) | Active | 1991 |
| Cheonji | Daecheong | 58 (대청 (大淸)) | Active | 1997 | |
| Cheonji | Hwacheon | 59 (화천 (華川)) | Active | 1998 | |
| Soyang | Soyang | 51 (소양 (昭陽)) | Active | 2018 |