HJSC Holds Christening Ceremony for Four New High-Speed Naval Vessels

- Completes construction of all 20 next-generation patrol vessels, reinforcing its reputation for unmatched technological excel

- From the right: HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol (4th), Rear Admiral Ahn Sang-min, Commander of the Navy Logistics Command (6th)

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) announced that it held a christening ceremony on December 8 for four newly built high-speed naval vessels, key assets that will bolster the Republic of Korea Navy's coastal defense capabilities. These vessels are the first four units constructed by HJSC under the ROK Navy's PKX-B Batch-II acquisition program initiated in 2022.

The ceremony

took place at HJSC's Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan, attended by key military officials, including Rear Admiral Ahn Sang-min, Commander of the Naval Logistics Command; Navy Captain Ji Sang-hyeok, Acting Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's (DAPA) Naval Ship Program Department; and Cha Young-joo, Director of the Naval Ship Center at the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ). HJSC CEO Yoo Sang-cheol, shipyard representatives, and Navy personnel were also present. The event proceeded with the national ceremony, project briefing, vessel naming declaration, congratulatory remarks, awards, and the christening and safe-sailing prayer ritual.

- Celebratory fireworks lighting up the christening ceremony of the ROK Navy's new PKMR high-speed patrol vessels

The new high-speed vessel, PKMR (Patrol-boat Killer Medium Rocket), is the ROK Navy's next-generation patrol craft that will replace the aging Chamsuri-class (PKM) fleet and take on coastal defense missions.

Equipped with state-of-the-art combat systems, 130 mm guided rockets, electronic warfare systems, and anti-missile decoy systems, the PKMR offers significantly enhanced firepower, survivability, and mission performance compared to its predecessors. The water-jet propulsion system enables stable operations in near-shore and shallow-water environments without interference from fishing nets. Additional survivability enhancements-including improved ballistic protection for vital areas, shock-resistant design, fire-resistant bulkheads, and stealth construction techniques-further elevate the vessel's operational resilience.

HJSC previously delivered all 16 vessels under the PKX-B Batch-I program commissioned by DAPA. Building on this track record, the multinational shipbuilder has also won all 12 vessels ordered to date under the improved Batch-II program.

Recognized as one of Korea's leading naval shipbuilders, HJSC has been at the forefront of domestic high-speed patrol vessel development for more than 50 years, from Korea's first indigenous high-speed craft in 1972 to the latest next-generation models. The four vessels christened this week were also fully designed and built using HJSC's own technology.

An HJSC official stated, "Since the launch of the first next-generation patrol vessel in 2016, we have successfully delivered a total of 20 PKMR vessels." He continued, "Building on our accumulated technical expertise and proven construction experience as a specialized naval shipbuilder, we will continue contributing to strengthening the global reputation of K-defense."