South Korea has launched its second Incheon-class FFX coastal defense vessel, Yonhap News Agency reported. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and senior naval officials attended the launching ceremony for the 2,300-ton frigate Gyeonggi at Hyundai Heavy Industry's shipyard in the southeastern city of Ulsan. The Incheon, lead vessel in the class, was designed under the government's Future Frigate Experimental program and launched in January. Yonhap reported naval officials said the Gyeonggi -- named after Gyeonggi province that surrounds Seoul -- will be delivered to the navy next year and deployed for operation in 2015. The Incheon is expected to be commissioned next year. About 20 frigates will be built to replace the country's aging Ulsan and Pohang patrol escort ships by 2020.
