The Navy launched Thursday a new frigate named Chungbuk as it continues to churn out next-generation escort Navy ships.

Jung Ho-sup, vice chief of naval operations, and other Navy officials joined the ceremony marking the launch of the 2,300-ton frigate, held at STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. in Changwon, a city in the south of the country.

The new frigate is the fifth addition as part of the Navy's project to build next-generation escort ships, following the first named Incheon, launched in 2011.

By 2020, the Navy plans to launch 20 ships under the project.

The Chungbuk frigate is named after the Navy's now-defunct destroyer with the same name, which ended its mission in 2000.

The junior Chungbuk, which is 114 meters long, is fit to accommodate about 120 crewmen and able to sail at a maximum speed of 30 knots or 55.5 kilometers per hour, according to the Navy. 

The brand new ship is also equipped with three-dimension scanning radar, a sonar torpedo detecting system as well as antiaircraft and antiship missiles to be able to engage in antiaircraft, antisubmarine and antiship operations, the Navy also noted.

Chungbuk will be handed over to the Navy at the end of 2015 and join the Navy fleet in 2016. (Yonhap)