GE Aerospace to supply equipment for ROKN PKX-B Batch-II patrol boat program

American equipment provider GE Aerospace has secured a contract to supply eight additional LM500 marine gas turbine engines for the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) PKX-B Batch-II patrol boat program.

As disclosed, this order follows the March 2023 selection for vessels one through four and the vessels five through eight in March 2024. The new contract covers the equipment for ships nine through twelve.

The LM500 gas turbine hardware will be manufactured in Lynn, MA, and delivered to Hanwha Aerospace, which will assemble and test the engines before delivering them for installation.

Hanwha also co-manufactures engine components for the ROKN and provides spares and services support for the life of the ship.

The PKX-B Batch-II patrol boats are expected to enhance the ROKN’s littoral defense with rapid response and firepower in coastal and near-shore operations.

According to GE Aerospace, the engine’s compact design, high power-to-weight ratio, and fuel efficiency serve as the boost engine in a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG) configuration.

This configuration allows the PKX-B Batch-II vessels to achieve high speeds for rapid response missions while maintaining fuel economy during cruising operations. 

“This contract award reinforces GE Aerospace’s position as a trusted provider of marine propulsion systems for navies that demand the best,” said Mark Musheno, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, GE Aerospace Marine Engines & Systems business. 

“We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with the Republic of Korea Navy, soon to be powering 77 ships with 156 marine gas turbines.”

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