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South Korea Launches Final KDX-III Batch-II Destroyer With 88 VLS Cells
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries launched the Republic of Korea Navy’s third and final KDX-III Batch II Aegis destroyer, ROKS Daeho Kim Jong-seo. The ship completes the new three-vessel batch and brings South Korea’s Aegis destroyer force to six hulls when combined with the earlier Batch I ships. Its combat system and 88 vertical-launch cells support layered air, missile, anti-submarine, and surface warfare missions. Launch is a construction milestone rather than fleet entry; outfitting, trials, delivery, and operational work-up must occur before the destroyer becomes fully deployable.