Description:
The KDX program was launched as a replacement for aging ex-US Navy ships owned by the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). The weapon system relies upon Alenia Marconi System's SSCS Mk 7 Combat Management System with its 10 multi-functional consoles for planning, executing and monitoring warfare engagements such as SeaSparrow or Harpoon missiles launch.
Originally 12 KDX ships were planned to be built but the Republic of Korea discontinued KDX I production favoring larger and more capable ships such as KDX-II and KDX-III destroyers. The KDX-II ships raise from three, as initially planned, to six and the three planned KDX-III destroyers will bring the total number of KDX destroyers to be procured by RoKN to 12.
The KDX-I class destroyers have been designed to perform as a multi-purpose surface combatant with enhanced self-defense capability.
Specifications Accommodation: Crew 286
Guns: Main Gun Caliber 127 mm
Number of Weapons: 24
Dimensions: Beam 14.2 m, Draft 9 m, Length 136 m
Weights: Max Weight 3,855 t
Performance: Max Range 8,300 km (4,482 nm), Top Speed 16 mps (30 kt)
Power: Power 58,000 shp
Operators
South Korea / 3
Ships
DDH 971 Kwanggaeto
Commissioning: 1998
DDH 972 Ulchimundok
Commissioning: 1999
DDH 973 Yangmanchun
Commissioning: 1999
Image Gallery
Notes (*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)
South Korea / 3 
