D
Naval ForcesSouth Korea

Gwanggaeto the Great Class (KDX-I Class)

DestroyerFielded 1998Pending verification
Naval ForcesKOR
Length 135.4 m
Identification silhouette. Not drawn to scale between entries.
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeDestroyer
Date of introduction1998
ProliferationOrigin country only
Crew185Med[1]
Hulls delivered3Hulls listed in the source cardMed[1]
Dimensions and weight
Length135.4 m444 ftMed[1]
Beam14.2 m47 ftMed[1]
Draft4.30 mMed[1]
Displacement (standard)3,181 tonsMed[1]
Displacement (full load)3,855 tMed[1]
Propulsion and performance
Speed30 kt56 km/hMed[1]
Range8,334 km5,179 mi · 4,500 nmi4,500 nmi (8,300 km; 5,200 mi) at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph)Med[1]
Protection
Active Protection System2 x 330-340 round Matra-Defense Dagaie Mark 2 decoy rocket launching systemMed[1]
Torpedo Decoy1 x U.S. AN/SLQ-25 NIXIE towed acoustic torpedo decoy system.Med[1]
EW1 x ArgoSystems APECS-II/AR-700 intercept/jammer suiteMed[1]
NBC Water Washdown SystemYesMed[1]
Armament
Torpedo System: launcher2 x triple 324-mm ASW torpedo tubesMed[1]
Torpedo System: basic load46Med[1]
Aircraft Facilities: aircraft2 x Super Lynx [carries Sea Skua ASM missiles or U.S. Mark 46, Mod. 5 ASW torpedoes].Med[1]
Armament1 x OTO Melara 127/64; 2 x Goalkeeper CIWS; 1 x 16-cell Mark 48 VLS launcher; RIM Sea-7 SparrowMed[1]
Fire control
FCS Name2 x Thales Goalkeeper Fire Control SystemMed[1]
Air Search Radar1 x Thales MW-08 air searchMed[1]
Surface Search Radar1 x ISC-Cardion AN/SPS-55M surface searchMed[1]
Navigation Radar1 x Daewoo DTR-92 navigationMed[1]
Active and Passive Sonar1 STN Atlas Elektronik DSQS-21BZ hull-mounted active/passive/search/attackMed[1]
Towed Linear Passive Sonar1 x Thales towed linear passive hydrophone array of undisclosed typeMed[1]
Variants
ROKS Gwanggaeto the GreatCommissioned: 1996 Status: Active[1]
ROKS Eulji MundeokCommissioned: 1997 Status: Active[1]
ROKS Yang Man-chunCommissioned: 2000 Status: Active[1]
Weapons and payload options · 4Confidence · Source
1 x OTO Melara 127/64Naval Gun
Med[1]
Range
100 km62 mi · 54 nmi
Quantity
1
Type
Naval Gun
Caliber
127 mm
Rate of fire
40 rounds/min
2 x Goalkeeper CIWSClose-in-Weapon System (CIWS)
Med[1]
Range
0.4 km0 mi · 0 nmi
Quantity
2
Type
Close-in-Weapon System (CIWS)
Caliber
30 mm
Rate of fire
70 rounds/second (4,200 rounds/minute)
1 x 16-cell Mark 48 VLS launcherArmament
Med[1]
RIM Sea-7 SparrowSurface-to-Air Missile
Med[1]
Range
15 km9 mi · 8 nmi
Type
Surface-to-Air Missile
Speed
Mach 2.5
Summary

The Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers, often called KDX-I, are destroyers but are classified by some as frigates, operated by the Republic of Korea Navy. It was the first phase of ROKN's KDX program, in moving the ROK Navy from a coastal defense force to a blue-water navy.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
South Korea
Sources
  1. Gwanggaeto the Great Class (KDX-I Class) South Korean Destroyer, U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-10 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN), bulk import