Gumdoksuri-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇰🇷 South Korea |
| Category | Patrol vessel |
| Subtype | Patrol boat |
| Manufacturer | Hanjin Heavy Industries, STX |
| Year commissioned | 2008 |
| Approx. unit cost | $37.7 million |
| Units | Republic of Korea Navy: 19 in commission |
Description
The Yoon Youngha-class patrol vessel, also known as PKG-class or Gumdoksuri-class, serves as a prominent ship class within the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). There are two main variants developed under this class: the PKX-A, a larger missile patrol ship, and the smaller PKX-B class patrol boat.
The origin of the PKG class can be traced back to the aftermath of a naval clash with North Korean patrol boats on June 29, 2002, which resulted in the sinking of a Chamsuri-class patrol boat. The event propelled the ROKN to initiate the PKX program in 2003 for modernizing their fleet. The PKX-A aims to assume some responsibilities of the Pohang-class corvettes, while the PKX-B is intended to replace the aging Chamsuri-class vessels.
Designed with contemporary naval threats in mind, the PKX-A ships are missile-equipped with a displacement of approximately 500 tons, and the PKX-Bs are gun-armed, roughly weighing 200 tons. The PKX-A class was first ordered from Hanjin Heavy Industries, with the lead ship named Yoon Youngha in honor of a fallen commander during the second battle of Yeonpyeong. It was launched on June 28, 2007, and entered commission on December 17, 2008, with production shared between Hanjin Heavy Industries and STX Offshore & Shipbuilding.
The PKX-B class is distinct with its 130 mm guided rocket launcher, capable of striking at ranges between 3 to 20 km using precision guidance systems. This variant was developed specifically to counter the threat of North Korean fast swarming crafts. The first PKX-B vessel was launched in July 2016 and entered service in late 2017, with a total delivery of four ships expected by the end of 2019.
The armed capabilities of the PKG class are symbolized by the PKX-B's capacity to launch three 130 mm rockets simultaneously, each loaded with an 8 kg warhead and guided by GPS/INS systems with additional terminal imaging infrared homing. These rockets are designed to engage and neutralize fast-moving targets effectively.
The early named vessels of the PKX-A class carry a legacy, as they were named after the sailors of patrol boat PKM 357 who lost their lives in the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong. The ROKN has specific traditions for naming their ships, most notably the avoidance of the numbers '0' and '4' due to superstitious beliefs – similar to the Western avoidance of Friday the 13th. This cultural practice is generally adhered to, with some exceptions.
The operational history of the class includes the commission of the 18th and final PKX-A-class vessel, the Jeon Byeongik, by the ROKN in January 2018. This addition to the fleet has solidified the naval presence at the forefront of South Korea's defense strategy.
Technical specifications
| Gumdoksuri | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 570 tons |
| Range | 3500 km |
| Crew | 40 members |
| Width | 7.0 m (23.0 ft) |
| Length | 44.0 m (144.4 ft) |
| Propulsion | CODAG |
| Armament | Hyundai Wia 76 mm gun |
| Maximum speed | 40 knots |