The South Korean government has launched an investigation into engine issues involving four Patrol Killer Experimental-B (PKX-B)-class fast attack craft currently in service with the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).
An RoKN source told Janes on 13 May that a broken engine cylinder head had been uncovered during a routine maintenance inspection of one of the vessels in late March, after which the same problem was found in the three other craft of the class.
Released by DAPA in November 2019, this image shows the RoKN's second PKX-B-class fast attack craft (with pennant number 212).
The incident has prompted the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ) to launch an investigation to determine the exact cause of the engine problems, with the results expected to be out by late June, according to the Yonhap News Agency.
There seems to be some confusion, however, about the current status of the four boats. The Yonhap News Agency quoted an RoKN officer as saying that the broken parts “have been replaced and the boats are now operational but we concluded [that] additional measures were necessary to find the exact cause of the malfunction and prevent the same failure recurring [in order] to stably operate the boats”.
That said, the RoKN source speaking to Janes that same day said that least two of the boats, one in service with the RoKN’s First Fleet and the other operated by the Second Fleet, are currently at a shipyard undergoing repairs while the other two are at their respective naval bases but not operational. No further details were provided.
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