The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) celebrated its 80th anniversary with a grand Fleet Review off the coast of Busan from September 25 to 27, showcasing the nation’s naval capabilities and honoring its maritime heritage.
The three-day event featured 31 warships, including Aegis destroyers, submarines, amphibious assault ships, landing vessels, and a range of aircraft and unmanned systems. Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-baek, alongside approximately 300 senior officials, boarded the LST-II ROKS Ilchulbong, while more than 2,100 invited guests, including members of the public, observed from the LPH ROKS Marado and LST-II ROKS Nojeokbong.
Maritime events spanned two days, beginning with a commemorative speech by the Chief of Naval Operations. The program included a naval parade, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) demonstrations, and live-fire exercises. Despite rainy and cloudy weather on the first day, the fleet review highlighted the ROK Navy’s history, technological advancements, and growing integration with the public.
The recently commissioned Aegis destroyer ROKS Jeongjo the Great (DDG-995) led the maritime review under Rear Admiral Kim In-ho, the inaugural commander of the Task Fleet Command. The review included a sequential aerial parade with P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Lynx helicopters, and the newly acquired MH-60R Seahawks, followed by a surface fleet parade and submarine display.
The naval parade featured a historic lineup of ROK Navy vessels, including the first domestically built Ulsan-class frigate, Incheon-class, Daegu-class, and the latest Chungnam-class frigates. Destroyers on display ranged from the Gwanggaeto the Great-class and Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class to the Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers. Patrol vessels safeguarding the Northern Limit Line also participated, including Yoon Young-ha-class PKG, the new Chamsuri-class PKMR, and older PKM craft.
Combat support ships, such as the Tongyeong-class rescue and salvage ship and the latest submarine rescue ship ROKS Ganghwado, joined the review. The Republic of Korea Coast Guard and training vessel Hanbada of Korea Maritime & Ocean University were also present.
Submarine demonstrations highlighted ROK Navy capabilities across KSS-I, KSS-II, and KSS-III Batch-I platforms, while ASW exercises showcased P-8 Poseidon sonobuoy deployment, MH-60R dipping sonar operations, and Lynx helicopter torpedo simulations. The Navy also demonstrated its expanding unmanned capabilities with Shield AI’s V-BAT UAV and the Sea Sword USV.
The fleet review concluded with a live-fire exercise, featuring 5-inch naval guns, 76mm guns, and 40mm CIWS firing at sea targets, capping off a remarkable celebration of ROK Navy’s history, innovation, and operational strength.
