South Korea’s Marine Corps launches first fight vessel

South Korea’s Marine Corps is ready to introduce its first vessel for the reason that drive was based.

The Marine Corps and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated on the afternoon of the eleventh that they’ll maintain a launching ceremony for the High-Speed Combat Boat (HCB-001), named Marlin, on the Gangnam Shipyard in Saha-gu, Busan.

According to the announcement, the High-Speed Combat Boat is designed to outperform the Marine Corps’ present inflatable and older inflexible inflatable boats in velocity, safety, and firepower. The service stated the brand new platform is quicker, affords increased protecting functionality, and carries stronger armaments than the Rigid Inflatable Boats beforehand utilized by Marine items.

The Marlin is supplied with methods together with a Remote Controlled Weapon Station, permitting weapons to be operated from throughout the protected cabin. By making use of a domestically developed waterjet propulsion system, the vessel is able to excessive mobility, together with operations in shallow waters. The Marine Corps stated the boat can attain speeds of as much as 80 kilometers per hour even in shallow-water areas.

To enhance survivability, bulletproof panels have been put in in key sections of the hull and cabin. Officials stated this marks a transparent departure from earlier Marine Corps boats, which featured open buildings and provided little safety from enemy hearth or environmental publicity. The new design consists of an enclosed cabin that shields the crew from wind, rain, and waves, whereas additionally enhancing general working circumstances throughout prolonged operations.

The Marlin measures roughly 18 meters in size, about half the scale of the Navy’s Cheonjungbong-class high-speed patrol boats. Despite its smaller footprint, the Marine Corps says the vessel is tailor-made for rapid-response missions, together with coastal safety, amphibious help, and the quick motion of forces in contested maritime environments.

The vessel was designed and constructed domestically. According to the Marine Corps, a building contract with Gangnam Co., Ltd. was signed in July of final yr. Construction started in May of this yr, adopted by a keel-laying ceremony in August. The launch marks the completion of the hull forward of a testing and analysis section.

Following trials, the Marlin is scheduled to be delivered to the Marine Corps in December of subsequent yr. After supply, the vessel will bear an influence integration course of earlier than coming into operational deployment, the service stated.

Marine officers highlighted that the brand new boat addresses long-standing shortcomings within the Corps’ small-vessel fleet. Older high-speed boats had nearly no protecting options and uncovered crews on to climate and sea circumstances, limiting endurance and operational security. The Marine Corps stated the Marlin’s armored sections and enclosed structure characterize a step ahead in each survivability and mission effectiveness.

The title “Marlin” was chosen primarily based on a big predatory fish recognized for velocity and aggressive maneuvering. The Marine Corps stated the symbolism aligns with the platform’s supposed function.

“The title symbolizes the mission and function of the High-Speed Combat Boat, which quickly deploys to maritime operational areas to have interaction in fight,” the Marine Corps stated.

Marine Corps Commander Joo Il-seok described this system as a milestone for the service. “The High-Speed Combat Boat is the primary vessel launched by the Marine Corps, a drive that integrates home shipbuilding expertise and protection science,” he stated. “Once operationally deployed, it can improve the Marine Corps’ function in defending the nation and its individuals by performing missions such because the fast deployment of reinforcement forces.”