The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has once again selected the Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine and controllable pitch propellers for its FFX Batch IV frigate programme, known as the next-generation Ulsan-class frigate.
Additionally, MTU-powered diesel generator sets will be utilised.
Proven for its operational reliability and efficiency, the MT30 gas turbine is already deployed across various naval fleets worldwide, including the US Navy’s Freedom-class littoral combat ship and Zumwalt-class destroyers, the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and the Italian Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock.
The company has a history of collaboration with the RoKN and Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in deploying an innovative hybrid propulsion arrangement that combines a single MT30 gas turbine with electric propulsion motors for both Daegu-class FFX Batch II and Chungnam-class FFX Batch III anti-submarine warfare frigates.
Hanwha Ocean is contracted to construct the initial pair of vessels.
The RoKN first implemented the MT30 on their Daegu-class frigates in 2018. Following successful trials, the first Chungnam-class Batch-III ship was delivered to the navy in December 2024.
Each vessel is equipped with four generator sets featuring MTU 12V4000 M43 diesel engines assembled under licence by STX-Engines in South Korea. These generators provide energy for cruising speeds while the gas turbine is engaged during high-speed manoeuvres.
Rolls-Royce Power Systems senior vice president Knut Müller said: “We are a long-term partner together with STX-Engines for the Korean Navy. Gensets based on MTU series 4000 are placed in most of the modern frigates and we are proud that we are together with our colleagues supplying mission critical components for the propulsion for the new frigate.”
The integration of 20 MT30 marine gas turbines across Batches II, III, and IV offers advantages such as streamlined spare parts management, support infrastructure, and training programmes for personnel, notes the company.
Rolls-Royce is also continuing its design partnership with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) concerning the specialised integrated gas turbine enclosure for the MT30.
HHI-EMD will maintain responsibility for producing this complex engineering enclosure along with associated components domestically and will also offer ongoing support services.
Rolls-Royce vice president of Business Development & Future Programmes, Defence – Naval, Korea Jay Lee (Jongyel Lee) said: “Our MT30 marine gas turbine is a reliable, efficient and proven capability. I am delighted that we have been given this opportunity to once again provide advanced power and propulsion capability to our customers, the Republic of Korea Navy, DAPA and HD HHI.
“This partnership will ensure our customers can retain their military advantage through future technology insertion, without having to endure costly upgrades to legacy power generation capability throughout the life of their ships.”
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