South Korean Navy Receives First Upgraded PKX-B Patrol Craft

The South Korean Navy has received the first fast patrol craft of the PKX-B Batch-II project. The new patrol craft features improved combat systems, enhanced resistance to electronic warfare and improved maneuverability.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration reported this, according to Naval News.

The handover ceremony took place August 14 at the HJ Shipbuilding & Construction shipyard in Busan. The lead craft of the new variant was launched in 2025, after which sea trials began.

PKX-B Program

The PKX-B program is intended to replace the aging Chamsuri-class (PKM) patrol craft, which have long formed the backbone of South Korea’s coastal fleet.

The vessels will primarily be tasked with guarding the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border between South and North Korea.

Batch-I

The first stage of the program, involving the construction of 16 craft, was successfully completed between 2017 and 2022. The first craft, PKMR 211, was handed over to the South Korean Navy at the HHIC (Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction) shipyard in Busan in 2017.

In late October 2019, HHIC received a follow-on contract for four additional PKX-B craft for the South Korean Navy, with deliveries scheduled for 2022. Following completion of the contract, the number of Batch-I craft in the South Korean Navy increased to 12.

The armament consists of 12 Biryong anti-ship missiles manufactured by LIG Nex1, a 76 mm automatic gun manufactured by Hyundai under license from OTO Melara, and two 12.7 mm machine guns.

The main specifications of the PKX-B (Batch-I) are:

• Displacement: 200 tons
• Length: 44 meters
• Beam: 7 meters
• Draft: 3 meters
• Maximum speed: 40 knots
• Crew: 20 personnel (16 according to other sources)

The Biryong has a maximum range of more than 20 km and a minimum range of 3 km. The missile weighs more than 80 kg, including an 8 kg warhead. Its guidance system combines inertial navigation and GPS with an infrared seeker for the terminal phase. According to LIG Nex1, it can engage more than three targets simultaneously.

Batch-II

Construction of the upgraded Batch-II series began in 2022. Compared with the first series, the craft feature greater integration of their weapons systems, which are similar to those used in the first batch.

Main specifications of the PKX-B (Batch-II):

• Displacement: 210 tons
• Length: 44 meters
• Beam: 7 meters
• Draft: 3 meters
• Maximum speed: 40 knots
• Crew: 20 personnel

The command and fire-control functions of the 130 mm guided-missile system and 12.7 mm remotely operated machine-gun mounts are fully integrated into a single automated combat management system.

The new craft are also equipped with improved electronic countermeasures. This has significantly increased their resistance to jamming and their ability to operate in an environment where the enemy is actively employing electronic warfare systems.

By the end of this year, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration plans to sequentially hand over three more Batch-II craft to the Navy.