South Korean Navy – The Defense Post

Jan- 2026 -

27 January

Sea

Inside Aegis: The System Powering Modern Naval Air Defense

This guide breaks down how the Aegis Weapon System anchors modern naval combat operations to protect ships and project power globally.

Oct- 2025 -

16 October

Asia Pacific

Hanwha Ocean's surface warship concept shown traveling at sea with helicopters and jets flying in the background

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Hanwha Releases 70-Person Crew Surface Warship Concept With AI at the Helm

Hanwha Ocean has unveiled a next-generation surface ship concept, envisioned as a flagship platform for South Korea’s naval defense industry.

Sep- 2025 -

22 September

Asia Pacific

HD HII launches the second King Jeongjo-class 8,200-ton destroyer, Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, for the ROK Navy

Christine Casimiro

HD HHI Launches South Korean Navy’s Second 8,200-Ton Aegis Destroyer

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has launched the second King Jeongjo-class 8,200-ton destroyer for the Republic of Korea Navy.

Jun- 2025 -

5 June

Asia Pacific

Christine Casimiro

South Korea Unveils New Carrier Concept Built for Manned-Unmanned Teaming

South Korea has introduced Ghost Commander II, a next-generation naval carrier concept designed to combine manned and unmanned systems within a unified command-and-control platform.

4 June

Asia Pacific

230427-N-CD453-2001 YELLOW SEA (April 27, 2023) Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) sails in formation with Republic of Korea Navy ships Sejong the Great-class guided-missile destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991), Daegu-class frigate ROKS Seoul (FFG-821), Gwangaetto the Great-class multipurpose destroyer ROKS Eulji Mundeok (DDH-972), Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class multipurpose destroyer ROKS Choe Yeong (DDH 981), and Ulsan-class frigate ROKS Cheongju, during Maritime Counter Special Operations Exercise (MCSOFEX) in the Yellow Sea, April 27. John Finn is assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Samantha Oblander)

Rojoef Manuel

Rolls-Royce Engines to Power South Korea’s Ulsan Warships

The Republic of Korea Navy has selected Rolls-Royce to supply propulsion systems for its Ulsan-class frigates.

May- 2025 -

13 May

Air

Conceptual model of a South Korean Navy aircraft carrier. The model has jet fighters and helicopters taxied on its deck. The ship is painted gray.

Juster Domingo

South Korea Drops F-35B Carrier, Opts for UAV Command Ship

South Korea will prioritize developing a multi-purpose command ship instead of a previously proposed F-35B-armed light aircraft carrier.

Apr- 2025 -

24 April

Asia Pacific

Aerial view of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan yard

Christine Casimiro

Hyundai Heavy Industries, S. Korea Navy to Develop Combat Drone Boats

The South Korean Navy has contracted HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to develop a combat unmanned surface vehicle (USV).

Jan- 2025 -

22 January

Asia Pacific

Republic of Korea navy Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH 975) sails during the at-sea phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Terrin Hartman)

Rojoef Manuel

South Korea’s Second-Gen KDX Destroyers to Receive Combat System Upgrade

South Korea has revealed a combat system upgrade for its second-generation Korean Destroyer eXperiment (KDX-II) ships to sustain maritime security across the nation’s sea lines of communication.

Dec- 2024 -

18 December

Air