Faster multi-role auxiliary vessel delivered to Navy

By Lee Min-hyung

A multi-role auxiliary vessel, featuring upgraded load capacity and increased speed, has been delivered to the Navy, the nation's defense acquisition administration said Friday.

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), the Korean shipbuilder, started manufacturing the Soyang fast combat support ship in 2015 and held its launch ceremony the next year. The company conducted test-operations with the vessel before its delivery to the Navy, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The vessel comes with a load capacity of 11,000 tons, the largest among auxiliary ships ever manufactured here. Soyang is 190 meters in length and 25 meters in width, and has a maximum speed of 44 kilometers per hour.

The name of the vessel is derived from Soyang Dam, which has the nation's top reservoir storage capacity of 2.9 billion tons of water.

“Soyang will help enhance the naval force's combat prowess, backed by its outstanding carrying capacity and mobility,” an official from DAPA said. “On top of that, the ship is expected to play a part in executing a series of maritime tasks in non-military areas ― such as humanitarian purposes for international society.”

The Navy plans to deploy the vessel at the end of the year to carry out military missions after sailors finish their training, according to the Navy.

Soyang is economically-efficient, as it is equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid engine system. It allows the vessel to reduce noise on voyages and increase fuel efficiency.

To maximize its operating efficiency, the vessel comes with a flight deck and helicopter hangar, enabling the vessel to remain agile in transporting personnel and military goods in case of emergencies.

On the defense side, Soyang has a close-in weapon system for use in defending ships from attacks.