South Korea Delivers First PKX-B Batch-II Fast Patrol Craft to ROK Navy

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) held a delivery ceremony on August 14 at HJ Shipbuilding & Construction’s Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan, handing over the first vessel of the new PKX-B Batch-II fast patrol craft class to the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

At a Glance

Delivery ceremony held August 14, 2026, at Busan’s Yeongdo Shipyard.
The vessel is 44 meters long, has a 7-meter beam, and displaces roughly 230 tonnes.
Waterjet propulsion gives a top speed of 40 knots; the crew numbers 20-23 sailors.
A 130mm guided rocket system and a 12.7mm remote-controlled weapon station are integrated into the combat system.
The program is intended to replace the ageing Chamsuri-class Patrol Killer Medium (PKM) craft.

Background

PKX-B is the second phase of a multi-stage effort to modernize ROKN’s coastal and littoral patrol fleet. Batch-I vessels were delivered between 2017 and 2022; the Batch-II phase, launched in 2022, saw a four-vessel construction contract awarded to HJ Heavy Industries (formerly Hanjin). The first four hulls of the class were launched in December 2025, and deliveries to the fleet have now begun.

Compared to the earlier batch, Batch-II vessels feature deeper combat-system integration: fire control for the 130mm guided rocket system and the 12.7mm remote weapon station now run through a unified combat management system. The class also incorporates enhanced anti-jamming capability, improving resilience against electronic warfare. According to naval press reporting, the vessels are powered by GE Aerospace LM500 gas turbines.

Regional Impact

Persistent low-intensity friction along flashpoints such as the Northern Limit Line drives a steady requirement for coastal patrol and deterrence around the Korean Peninsula, and the PKX-B Batch-II is meant to meet that demand with a more integrated sensor-and-weapons suite than its predecessor. The program also matters for South Korea’s mid-tier shipbuilding base: while Hyundai and Hanwha’s yards are absorbed by large surface combatants and submarines, fast patrol craft work sustains builders like HJ Shipbuilding. For other regional navies, PKX-B Batch-II is a useful reference point for how much combat-system capability can now be packed into a compact, sub-250-tonne hull.

FAQ

How many PKX-B Batch-II vessels are planned? Four vessels are under the current contract; the first four hulls were launched in December 2025.

Who is building them? HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (formerly Hanjin Heavy Industries) at its Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan.

What mission drives the requirement? Primarily littoral patrol duties and low-intensity contingencies around the Northern Limit Line.

Sources

Naval News, “South Korea delivers first PKX-B Batch-II fast patrol craft to ROK Navy”
Asian Military Review, “ROK Navy receives its first PKX-B Batch-II fast patrol boat”
Naval News, “ROK Navy Launches First Four PKX-B Batch-II vessels”