The South Korean government, through the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, has approved the construction of six new warships under a US$6.3 billion programme.
Three Sejong the Great-class guided missile destroyers and three Chang Bogo-class diesel-electric submarines will be constructed under the procurement programme. The destroyers will be armed with the US-made Aegis combat system and SM-3 surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) capable of intercepting and destroying ballistic missiles.
The vessels are expected to enter service with the South Korean Navy in the late 2020s.