ROKS ''Gwanggaeto the Great'' (DDH-971) is the
lead ship of the
Gwanggaeto the Great-class in the
Republic of Korea Navy. She is named after
Gwanggaeto the Great
Gwanggaeto the Great (374–413, r. 391–413) was the nineteenth monarch of Goguryeo. His full posthumous name means "Entombed in ''Gukgangsang'', Broad Expander of Domain, Peacemaker, Supreme King", sometimes abbreviated to ''Hotaewang'' ...
.
Development
The
KDX-I was designed to replace the old destroyers in the ROKN that were transferred from the
US Navy in the 1950s and 1960s. It was thought to be a major turning point for the ROKN in that the launching of the first KDX-I meant that ROKN finally had a capability to project power far from its shores. After the launching of the ship, there was a massive boom in South Korean international participation against piracy and
military operations other than war.
Construction and career
ROKS ''Gwanggaeto the Great'' was launched on 28 October 1996 by
Daewoo Shipbuilding and commissioned on 24 July 1998.
Gallery
File:KDX1-KDX2-sidebyside.jpg, ROKS ''Munmu The Great'' and ROKS ''Kwanggaeto The Great'' lighted ship's lights to celebrate the July 4th Independence Day 2006.
File:2013.10.25 해군 독도방어훈련 Dokdo Defense drill of Republic of Korea Navy (10471471715).jpg, ROKS ''Gwanggaeto the Great'' maneuvering while on patrol on 25 October 2013.
File:160324-N-EH218-097 (25441207454).jpg, ROKS ''Gang Gam-chan'', ROKS ''Gwangaetto the Great'' and USS Chung Hoon in formation during Foal Eagle 2016 on 24 March 2016.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gwanggaeto the Great (DDH-971)
Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyers
1996 ships
Ships built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering