Yangyang-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇰🇷 South Korea |
| Category | Mine warfare |
| Subtype | Minesweeper |
| Manufacturer | Kangnam Corporation |
| Year commissioned | 1999 |
| Units |
571 (양양 (襄陽)) Yangyang 572 (옹진 (甕津)) Ongjin 573 (해남 (海南)) Haenam 575 (남해 (南海)) Namhae 576 (홍성 (洪城)) Hongseong 577 (고성 (高城)) Goseong |
Operators
Technical specifications
| Displacement | 880 tons |
| Crew | 46 members |
| Width | 10.5 m (34.4 ft) |
| Length | 60.0 m (196.9 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 × Voith Schneider propellers |
| Armament |
|
| Maximum speed | 15 knots |
Description
The Yangyang class is a series of six modern minesweepers built by Kangnam Corporation for the Republic of Korea Navy. The first ship was commissioned in 1999, with the sixth and final vessel delivered in 2021 — a production span of over two decades reflecting gradual fleet modernization. At 60 meters long and displacing 880 tons at full load, these vessels are significantly larger than the older Ganggyeong-class minehunters they complement.
The ships are equipped with modern mine detection sonar systems, mine disposal vehicles, and Voith Schneider propellers for precise low-speed maneuvering during mine warfare operations. With a maximum speed of 15 knots, they are capable of extended mine clearance missions in the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula, where the threat from North Korean naval mines remains a key concern.
The Republic of Korea Navy has approved the development of the MSH-II next-generation mine countermeasures vessel program to replace both the Yangyang and Ganggyeong classes. The new design is expected to incorporate autonomous underwater vehicles and modern unmanned mine countermeasures systems.