The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) received on 20 October its first dedicated training ship, according to an announcement made the following day by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The RoKN received its first dedicated training vessel, Hansando , on 20 October. The 142 m-long ship is expected to enter service in early 2021. (DAPA)
Named Hansando (pennant number ATH 81), the 142 m-long vessel, which had been launched at Hyundai Heavy Industries’ (HHI’s) Ulsan shipyard in November 2018, is expected to enter service in early 2021 and be based at the Jinhae Naval Base in South Gyeongsang Province.
Built under the RoKN’s Training Ship Experimental (ATX) programme, the vessel, which has a standard displacement of 4,500 tonnes and incorporates stealth features in its design, will have a crew complement of 120 and enough room to accommodate more than 300 trainees, according to DAPA.
The vessel features a computer-based training system that can simulate combat situations as well as operations aboard various RoKN ships, including frigates and destroyers.
Hansando also has three classrooms and lecture halls and is fitted with dual stern ramps for launching rigid-hull inflatable boats, as well as a hangar that can accommodate up to two medium-sized helicopters.
It also features a sick bay, three operating rooms to deal with patients in critical condition, and a negative-pressure room to handle outbreaks of infectious diseases on board. This will enable the vessel to also carry out disaster relief missions and provide medical support in case of incidents out at sea.
Hansando
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