HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) has secured an additional order for four next-generation fast patrol craft from the Republic of Korea Navy, once again demonstrating its unmatched competitiveness as a specialized naval defense contractor.
The company announced that it was selected as the preferred bidder in the tender for the construction of four fast patrol craft—hull numbers 13 through 16—under the Gumdoksuri-B Batch-II program, commissioned by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Following technical negotiations and related procedures, HJSC signed a shipbuilding contract worth KRW 312.5 billion with DAPA on December 17.
With the latest contract, HJSC has now secured all vessels ordered to date under the Gumdoksuri-B Batch-II program. The company previously won and built all 16 vessels of the Gumdoksuri-B Batch-I program and successfully delivered them to the Navy. This track record confirms HJSC’s dominant position in the fast patrol craft segment.
The next-generation fast patrol craft, officially designated as PKMR (Patrol boat Killer Medium Rocket), is the Navy’s latest frontline vessel optimized for coastal defense missions and the protection of territorial waters. Compared with the earlier Batch-I vessels, the Batch-II program incorporates more than 30 performance upgrades and enhancements, significantly improving operational convenience and crew habitability.
Equipped with waterjet propulsion systems, the vessels can operate effectively in shallow waters. They are fitted with advanced combat systems, anti-guided missile decoy systems, and electronic warfare equipment, resulting in substantially improved firepower and survivability over previous fast patrol craft. As a result, the PKMR is regarded as a core asset for safeguarding the Northern Limit Line (NLL) and is often described as the Navy’s “spearhead force.”
Over the past five decades, HJSC has established itself as the cornerstone of domestically built fast patrol craft in Korea. The company has been entrusted with the construction of all 32 next-generation fast patrol craft, a testament to its unparalleled technical capabilities in this field.
HJSC is also recognized as a defense contractor capable of covering the entire lifecycle of naval vessels, from newbuild projects to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). Its portfolio includes performance upgrade programs for the Navy’s Dokdo-class amphibious assault ships and guided missile patrol craft, as well as depot-level maintenance for high-speed landing craft. On December 15, HJSC further expanded its global footprint by becoming the first mid-sized Korean shipbuilder to secure a maintenance contract for a U.S. Navy logistics support vessel, signaling its entry into the overseas MRO market.
An HJSC official said the company will carry out the construction of the next-generation fast patrol craft with a strong sense of pride and responsibility as the birthplace of Korea’s domestically built fast patrol craft. The official added that HJSC aims to contribute to strengthening national maritime defense capabilities by flawlessly delivering the Navy’s frontline coastal defense assets.
