The first two ships of the Batch IV series will be constructed by Hanwha Ocean. Rolls-Royce previously collaborated with the RoKN and the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) to implement a hybrid propulsion system on all ships of the Daegu-class (Batch II) and Chungnam-class (Batch III) frigate programmes.
These frigates are powered by a single MT30 gas turbine combined with electric propulsion motors. Four mtu 12V4000 M43 diesel generator sets, assembled locally by STX-Engines under Rolls-Royce’s licence, provide energy for cruising, while the turbine supports high-speed operations.
The continued use of the MT30 across the Batch II, III and IV frigates ensures logistical and operational benefits for the RoKN, including spare parts compatibility, streamlined support infrastructure, and unified training. Twenty MT30 turbines will now be in service across the three frigate batches.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery Division (HHI-EMD) will maintain responsibility for manufacturing the gas turbine enclosure and associated systems within South Korea. This cooperation will also extend to providing in-service support for the enclosures.
Jay Lee, Vice President of Business Development & Future Programmes, Defence – Naval, Korea at Rolls-Royce, said: “Our MT30 marine gas turbine is a reliable, efficient and proven capability. I am delighted that we have been given this opportunity to once again provide advanced power and propulsion capability to our customers, the Republic of Korea Navy, DAPA and HD HHI.”
He added, “This partnership will ensure our customers can retain their military advantage through future technology insertion, without having to endure costly upgrades to legacy power generation capability throughout the life of their ships.”
Knut Müller, Senior Vice President at Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division, commented: “We are a long-term partner together with STX-Engines for the Korean Navy. Gensets based on mtu series 4000 are placed in most of the modern frigates and we are proud that we are together with our colleagues supplying mission critical components for the propulsion for the new frigate.”
The MT30 was first used by the RoKN in 2018 on the Daegu-class frigates. Its selection for the FFX Batch IV confirms the Navy’s continued trust in the engine’s performance and reliability.
The MT30 is already operational in several navies worldwide, including the U.S. Navy’s Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship and Zumwalt-class destroyers, the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and the Italian Navy’s new Landing Helicopter Dock. It is designed for long-term performance, cost efficiency, and operational reliability at sea.
Rolls-Royce noted that the MT30’s high power density is also crucial for enabling Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP). This capability aligns with the RoKN’s SMART Navy Vision 2045, supporting future technological ambitions and advanced naval platforms.
