Ahn Yong-Bok class destroyer

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A CGI image of a KDX-III destroyer

The Ahn Yong-Bok class destroyers (also known as KDX-III) are guided missile destroyers under construction by the Republic of Korea Navy, and featuring the advanced Aegis combat system (baseline 7 phase 1 - Advanced Processor (4800 MIPS) and Distributed Processor (1600 MIPS)) combined with AN/SPY-1D multi-function radar antennas. Although it is an improvement upon the Arleigh Burke class, the KDX-III will not be considered as a variant of Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, and will be considered as a "KDX-III-class" destroyer. Ahn Yong-Bok class destroyers are the world's first destroyers to implement highly advanced AEGIS combat systems with RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile weapons systems [1]. It will also harbor RAM Block1 SAAM and SM-2 Block ⅣA (MK 41 VLS 80cell) surface-to-air missiles, CIWS 30mm Goalkeepers, two torpedo mounts in 324mm KMK 32 configuration, 32 cruise missiles, 16 Anti-ship missiles, and 16 Anti-submarine Rockets. Its MK 41 Vertical Launch System will be able to hold 80 missiles.

Ahn Yong-Bok destroyers' highly advanced capabilities (notably AN/SPY-1D radars) makes them closer to cruisers in terms of classification than destroyers. The destroyers are often compared to Ticonderoga class cruisers because they both harbor AN/SPY-1 multi-function radar antennas. One notable difference between the Ahn Yong-Boks and Burkes is that the VLS cells on Ahn Yong-Boks will have a capacity of 128 missiles, as opposed to 96 on the Arleigh Burke FlightIIA class.

The Ahn Yong-Bok class standard displacement is 7,650 tons, while its full load displacement is above 10,000 tons.

The Ahn Yong-Bok class is the third phase of the Republic of Korea Navy's KDX (Korean Destroyer eXperimental) program -substantial shipbuilding program- which is geared at enhancing ROKN's ability to successfully defend the maritime areas around Korea from various modes of threats as well as becoming a Blue-water navy.

All Ahn Yong-Bok class destroyers are named after Korean patriots. The first vessel destroyer was recently named Ahn Yong-Bok (Hangul:안용복) after a Korean patriot who protested over Tokugawa Shogunate's repeated claim over Dokdo and made Tokugawa Shogunate confirm in writing that the islets were Korean possessions. The second destroyer is to be named Ji Deok-Chil (Hangul:지덕칠), after Staff Sergeant Ji Deok-Chil, who sacrificed his life to save his comrades during the Vietnam War. The third unit is to be named Yun Yeong-Ha (Hangul:윤영하), after Lt. Commander Yun Yeong-Ha who fell in line of duty during a skirmish between the Republic of Korea Navy force and North Korean Navy. The fourth destroyer is to be named for General Yi Sabu of Silla dynasty of Korea, who subjugated Usan-Guk (present-day Ulleung-do) by employing brilliant naval tactics. The fifth and sixth destroyers are yet to be named.

The first KDX-III class destroyer is currently under construction by Hyundai heavy industries. Originally, Republic of Korea Navy planned to commission 3 KDX-III class destroyers. However, according to a Dong-a Ilbo article on January 10, 2006, ROKN wants to commission 3 more KDX-III class destroyers by 2018.

KDX-III revealed port was not able to be reserved on the side of the Sea of Japan for the water line according to the newspaper report in South Korea of 2006. South Korea navy also admit this.

[edit] Ships in the class

Hull No. 991 ROKS Ahn Yong-Bok(?) (Hangul:안용복?) (2008)
Hull No. 992 ROKS Ji Deok-Chil(?) (Hangul:지덕칠?) (2010)
Hull No. 993 ROKS Yun Yeong-Ha(?) (Hangul:윤영하?) (2012)
Hull No. 995 ROKS Yi Sabu(?) (Hangul:이사부?) (There is no current plans for a 4th KDX-III destroyer. However, the Grand National Party of Korea pledged to build a 4th ship in 2005. This promise has been unfulfilled yet, mainly due to budgetary and political problems.)