Donghae-class corvette

Prior to the Donghae-class, the Republic of Korea Navy operated ex-US warships of similar role and size built during the World War II, which the ships were in imminent retirement condition in 1980. Meanwhile, the lead ship of Ulsan-class frigate was under construction; the new frigate project, being the priority of the ROKN, took up most of the budget. Therefore, the ROKN planned a small cost-efficient yet heavily armed patrol vessel that can support Ulsan-class by providing numeric advantage as low-end platform.[1]

Since the ROKN was heavily involved in anti-espionage missions and patrolling the maritime border, ship stability became the most important factor in designing the ship. From the ships operated by the ROKN, the Noryang-class PCEC (Patrol Craft Escort & Combatant) (ex-PCE-842-class) had the best size for the mission, and the Sinseong-class PCE (Patrol Craft Escort) (ex-Auk-class MSF), which had U-shape hull, showed the best ship stability at the patrol speed (5-8 knots). The hull design was contested by the ROKN officer Captain Eom Do-jae, the supervisor of the Ulsan-class frigate, for V-shape for better speed-length ratio. However, the V-shape required installation of fin stabilizers; the ROKN's distrust on the fin stabilizer from the experience of Baekgu-class PGM (Patrol Gunboat Motor) (modified Asheville-class) lead to continue with the U-shape design.[1]

The ship was originally planned for 25 kn using combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) system. However, the requirement was increased to 30 kn after combined diesel or gas (CODOG) was considered. General Electric LM2500 was chosen over Rolls-Royce Marine Spey for higher power to achieve speed requirement despite Rolls-Royce type engine was proven for its survivability by HMS Sheffield during the Falkland War.[4]

During sea trial, ROKS Donghae experienced singing on its propellers at 110 to 140 rpm, which was critical in performing anti-submarine warfare. ROKS Donghae applied changes on the propellers along with three sister ships on construction in other shipyards.[4]

After constructing four Donghae-class, the hull shape dispute sparked again for the next production. As a result, change to V-shape hull also changed the ship class to the Pohang-class for Batch II and further productions.[4]

The Donghae-class is powered by one General Electric LM2500 gas turbine engine and two MTU Friedrichshafen 12V 956 TB82 diesel engines for combined diesel or gas (CODOG) propulsion system, which allows full displacement of 1,076 t ship to move at 31 kn maximum and 15 kn cruising speed. The main armament is focused on surface combat to counter numerous and small North Korean ships, which is controlled by Signaal SEWACO ZK fire control system combined with Raytheon 1645 surface-search radar, Signaal WM28 fire-control radar, and Signaal LIOD optronic director. For anti-submarine mission, the ship has installed EDO 786 sonar and armed with 2 x triple Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes firing Mark 46 torpedo.

The armaments consist 1 x OTO Melara 76 mm/62 cannon, 2 x Emerson EMERLEC 30 twin Oerlikon 30 mm/75 KCB cannon, and 1 x twin Bofors 40 mm L/60 cannon. However, the ship lacks air-search radar along with anti-air weapon, which was the biggest topic among the militaries of the world as a result of the Falklands War, due to low on budget.[1] The ship has limited defense capability against air and missile attack, only assisted by GoldStar ULQ-12K ESM (electronic support measures) and Mk 36 SRBOC (Super Rapid Bloom Offboard Countermeasures).

On 11:15 PM of 17 December 1988, an army private found a North Korean semi-submarine near Yeosu using TOD. ROKS Donghae joined the operation that sunk the submarine.[5]

In 1990, twin Bofors 40 mm L/60 cannon received upgrade to Bofors 40 mm L60K during regular maintenance; upgraded cannon mount is linked to the fire control system and can be operated at night.[6]

• Pohang-class corvette
• List of corvette classes

• globalsecurity.org: Donghae class corvette