US propulsion specialist GE Aerospace has been contracted to supply eight additional LM500 marine gas turbine engines for vessels nine to 12 of the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN’s) PKX-B Batch-II patrol boat programme, the company announced on 30 April 2025.
The order follows the March 2023 selection of LM500s for the first four PKX-B Batch-II patrol boats and a subsequent order in March 2024 for LM500s for vessels five to eight of the programme.
The PKX-B Batch-II patrol boats are designed to enhance the ROKN’s littoral defences with rapid response and firepower in coastal and near-shore operations. The LM500 gas turbine serves as the boost engine in a combined diesel and gas turbine (CODAG)-configured powerplant for the vessels.
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,” Mark Musheno, vice president of sales and marketing for GE Aerospace’s Marine Engines & Systems business, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “We are pleased to extend our longstanding relationship with the Republic of Korea Navy, soon to be powering 77 ships with 156 marine gas turbines.”
The gas turbines will be manufactured in Lynn, Massachusetts, and delivered to Hanwha Aerospace, which will assemble and test the engines before delivering them for installation. Hanwha, a longstanding in-country licensee for GE Aerospace, also co-manufactures engine components for the ROKN and provides spares and services support for the life of the ship.
GE Aerospace also provides a direct in-country field service to the ROKN.
