The South Korean Navy’s 3,200-ton Gwanggaeto destroyer has been upgraded with anti-submarine warfare capabilities as part of the service’s modernization efforts.
Gwanggaeto was sent for upgrade in April 2020. The modernized warship was handed over to the Navy on Friday, state arms procurement agency Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said.
Seoul started modernizing three of its Gwanggaeto the Great-class ships in 2016.
The newly delivered KDX-I destroyer is now equipped with an indigenous combat system, and a towed array sonar system designed to strengthen anti-submarine capabilities.
On Tuesday, the North fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the vicinity of Sinpo, where its main submarine shipyard is located. It marked The country’s eighth known major missile test this year.