The propulsion package includes controllable pitch propellers, Rolls-Royce’s advanced MT30 gas turbine, and mtu-powered diesel generator sets. The first two Batch IV ships will be built by Hanwha Ocean, extending the proven hybrid propulsion model already in use aboard the Daegu-class FFX Batch II and Chungnam-class FFX Batch III frigates. These vessels rely on a single MT30 gas turbine and electric propulsion motors for a balanced blend of high-speed thrust and efficient cruising performance.

 

Four MTU 12V4000 M43 diesel generators per vessel, assembled under licence in South Korea by STX-Engines, deliver power to electric motors during low-speed operations, while the MT30 engages for rapid manoeuvring or combat scenarios. With 20 MT30 engines now deployed across the FFX II, III and IV classes, the Republic of Korea Navy benefits from shared parts, streamlined maintenance infrastructure, and unified training protocols.

 

The partnership extends beyond propulsion hardware. As part of a strategic design collaboration with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), Korean manufacturer HHI-EMD continues to build the highly engineered integrated gas turbine enclosures and supporting ancillaries in-country, ensuring ongoing in-service support and technical reliability.

 

The MT30’s combat-proven pedigree stretches across multiple global fleets. From the U.S. Navy’s Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships and Zumwalt-class destroyers to the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers and the Italian Navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock, this turbine is already a mainstay of modern naval power. The RoKN first deployed the MT30 in 2018 on the Daegu-class, and the successful handover of the first Chungnam-class frigate in December 2024 further reinforced confidence in the engine’s performance.

 

Crucially, the MT30 also acts as an enabler for Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) – a key pillar in the RoKN’s ambitious SMART Navy Vision 2045. By delivering unmatched power density and flexibility, the MT30 paves the way for next-generation ship platforms designed around modularity, stealth, and energy resilience.

 

This latest selection underscores Rolls-Royce’s deepening relationship with the Republic of Korea Navy and the country’s leading shipbuilders. Together with its long-term partners at STX-Engines and HD HHI, Rolls-Royce continues to deliver innovative propulsion solutions that meet the evolving demands of 21st-century naval warfare.