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reported that a power system defect occurred in the Navy's new frigates 1, 2, and 3, but it was confirmed as a result of SBS coverage that the same damage occurred in the 4th ship, Donghae, which is currently in test operation.



This is the exclusive report by Kim Tae-hoon, a reporter specializing in defense.



<Reporter>



The new frigate, the 4th ship Donghae, completed construction and launched in April last year.



It is currently undergoing a test flight ahead of commissioning next month.



It was built with the same design and parts as the new frigates 1, 2, and 3, which had power system defects such as corrosion of the lubricant heat exchanger and scratches on the thrust bearings and propulsion shaft.



However, it was confirmed that the same defect occurred in the East Sea.



A high-ranking official of the Ministry of National Defense said in a phone call with SBS, "On the 9th, when the upper cover of the bearings of the Donghae ship was opened and endoscopy was conducted under the supervision of the shipyard, scratches were identified on the thrust bearings and the propulsion shaft."



As with ships 1, 2, and 3, the Navy estimates that the lubricant supply was not smooth due to corrosion of the lubricant heat exchanger, causing friction between the bearings and the shaft.



The same power system defect occurred in half of the eight new frigates being built with an investment of 3.2 trillion won.



[Park Jin-ho/Government Defense Project Promotion Committee Member: I think that the same defects will occur in ships 5, 6, 7, and 8 with the same design and the same product. Regardless of the severity of the defect, I see it as a very serious problem.]



It was confirmed that the Navy sent an official letter to the Defense Agency on the 23rd and requested a detailed inspection by completely opening the bearings of the No. 4 Donghae.



In response, the DAPA


announced that it would carry out follow-up measures,

such as a complete open inspection of the bearings of the East Sea ship, according to the results of the cause analysis by the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality

.



(Video coverage: Han Il-sang, video editing: Jeong Seong-hoon)