Seoul: The Navy announced on Friday that it has entered into an agreement with Hanwha Ocean Co. to handle the depot-level maintenance of its 7,600-ton Aegis destroyer, allowing the Navy to concentrate more on combat-related missions.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this agreement entails Hanwha Ocean conducting depot maintenance on the ROKS Sejong the Great from September through March of the following year. This marks the first instance in which the Navy has outsourced the comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of a surface warship to a private entity.

Depot maintenance involves a thorough overhaul where the ship is disassembled, and aging parts are replaced to ensure stable performance. The Navy's decision is driven by a desire to focus more on combat missions by alleviating maintenance responsibilities from Navy personnel and enhancing maintenance efficiency.

Additionally, the Navy intends to enhance the onboard accommodation facilities, including crew sleeping quarters and washrooms, to improve working conditions for its personnel. With this new agreement, the Navy anticipates that the maintenance work will be coordinated with shipyards and will benefit the small and medium-sized MRO companies participating in the project.