HHI Launches Korea’s Second Minelayer
Shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) launched the second minelayer, MLS-II Nampo, for the Korean Navy.
In attendance at the MLS-II launching ceremony were Baek Seung-joo, Vice Minister of National Defense of Republic of Korea; Kwon Oh-gap, President & CEO of HHI; and 100 other guests.
The MLS-II Nampo is both HHI and Korea’s second minelayer following MLS-560 Wonsan that was delivered in 1997 and are currently in operation. The MLS-II Nampo which can carry 120 crew measures 114 meters in length, 17 meters in width and 28 meters in depth with a displacement of 3,000 tons.
The next-generation stealth minelayer is specially built to lay a large number of mines precisely at the designated spots in a short period of time. The MLS-II Nampo is scheduled to be delivered to the Korean Navy by October 2016 after outfitting work, sea trials and final inspections.
HHI said it has been playing a key role in strengthening the defense capabilities of the Korean Navy by delivering a total of 71 naval ships including 12 frigates/patrol ships, three destroyers, three submarines and two Aegis destroyers.