Rolls-Royce has announced that its MT30 marine gas turbine, along with its mtu diesel generator sets and controllable pitch propellers, will power the South Korean Navy’s latest frigates under the FFX Batch IV program. The British manufacturer said the first two Ulsan-class vessels will be constructed by Hanwha Ocean.
According to Rolls-Royce, the MT30 turbine will operate alongside electric propulsion motors driven by four mtu 12V4000 M43 diesel generator sets. Assembled locally by STX-Engines under license from Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems division, the generators will support low-speed cruising, while the turbine will enable high-speed operations.
Additionally, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery business will continue to manufacture the specialised gas turbine enclosure for the MT30 in South Korea.
Driving Military Advantage and Cost Savings
Jay Lee, vice president of business development and future programs for naval defense at Rolls-Royce Korea, said the MT30 remains a reliable and efficient engine. “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,” the executive added.
The MT30 first entered Korean naval service in 2018 aboard the Daegu-class frigates and has since been integrated into the Chungnam-class vessels. Rolls-Royce claims that its selection for FFX Batch IV underscores South Korea’s continued trust in the platform’s performance.
The MT30 is also currently deployed aboard the U.S. Navy’s Zumwalt-class destroyers and littoral combat ships, the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers and Italy’s new landing helicopter dock.
This contract award follows other recent wins for Rolls-Royce in the maritime sector. Last week, the company extended its agreement with Italian yacht builder Sanlorenzo to continue supplying mtu engines and automation and aftertreatment systems.
In March, the German customs selected the mtu gas engines for its four new vessels as part of a fleet modernization initiative in the North and Baltic seas.