ROKS Munmu
Daegu-class frigate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH-976) is a Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer in the South Korean navy. It was named after Munmu of Silla.[1]
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- ROKS Munmu the Great (DDH-976)
- (문무대왕함)
ROKS Munmu on 25 July 2006 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 South Korea | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Munmu of Silla |
| Builder | Hyundai |
| Launched | 11 April 2003 |
| Commissioned | 30 September 2004 |
| Identification | Pennant number: DDH-976 |
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 150 m (492 ft 2 in) |
| Beam | 17.4 m (57 ft 1 in) |
| Draft | 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in) |
| Propulsion | Combined diesel or gas |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Range | 10,200 km (5,500 nmi) |
| Complement | 200 |
| Armament |
|
| Aircraft carried | 2 × Super Lynx helicopters |
| Aviation facilities | Helicopter landing platform and Hangar |
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Design
The KDX-II is part of a much larger build up program aimed at turning the ROKN into a blue-water navy. It is said to be the first stealthy major combatant in the ROKN and was designed to significantly increase the ROKN's capabilities.[2]
Construction and career
In March 2009, Munmu was sent overseas to protect merchant vessels from Somali pirates.[1] On 28 May 2007 during firing exercise on the open sea near Jinhae one of the projectiles exploded inside the 127 mm gun barrel which has been replaced later. In 2014 she conducted anti-piracy drills as part of Combined Task Force 151 in the Indian Ocean with HMS Defender.[3]
In April 2018, it was deployed to Ghana with personnel from the Special Warfare Brigade as part of a mission to rescue kidnapped South Korean fishermen.[4]
On 19 July 2021, it was reported that 247 out of 301 crew members of the 34th contingent of the Cheonghae Unit on the Munmu tested positive for COVID-19. Two Korean Air Force KC-330 departed with 200 replacement members to transport all 301 crew members back to South Korea.[5] After returning to South Korea, it was revealed that 270 crew members had tested positive.[6]
Gallery
- ROKS Munmu Gallery
ROKS Munmu maneuvering during RIMPAC 2006.
ROKS Munmu and ROKS Gwanggaeto the Great lighted ship's lights to celebrate the July 4th Independence Day 2006.
