How Hanwha’s New ECS Enhances the 3200-Ton Yangmancun Destroyer: A Game Changer for Korean Naval Technology

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[iNews24 reporter Choi Ran] Hanwha Systems said on April 30 that it delivered an integrated machinery control system (ECS) to the 3,200-ton-class destroyer Yang Man-chun (DDH-I). This marks the first time a Korean warship has been fitted with an ECS developed using domestically originated technology.

Hanwha Systems held a ceremony at Jinhae Port in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, to mark completion of the Yang Man-chun (DDH-I) ECS performance upgrade.

The Yang Man-chun (DDH-I) is a 3,200-ton-class helicopter-carrying destroyer built under the Korean Destroyer eXperimental (KDX-I) program alongside Gwanggaeto the Great and Eulji Mundeok.

Until now, the Yang Man-chun relied on equipment produced by foreign firms. Under this program, Hanwha Systems replaced that foreign gear with a domestically produced integrated machinery control system developed in partnership with the Defense Rapid Acquisition Technology Research Institute.

Known as the ship’s “heart,” the ECS integrates propulsion, power, auxiliary equipment and damage-control systems onto a single network, enabling the ship to carry out missions more safely and efficiently.

To date, ECS technology has been held by only a handful of advanced defense firms—such as U.S.-based L3Harris, Britain’s Rolls-Royce and Italy’s Fincantieri NexTech—forcing the South Korean Navy to rely on imported systems.

Since 2014, Hanwha Systems has secured the core technologies needed to domestically produce an ECS. Compared with existing systems, its ECS strengthens precision monitoring and control, optimizes power-operation modes, adds an onboard training system, and simplifies parts procurement by using domestic components and Korea-developed software.

Yu Moon-ki, head of Hanwha Systems’ Marine Business Division, said, “Hanwha Systems will continue to focus on technology development to accelerate automation and modernization of Korean naval vessels (K-ships) and will work to establish a leading competitive position in the global naval defense market.”