South Korean Frigate ROKS Daejeon Named Top Warship in RIMPAC Gunnery Competition

The South Korean Navy's 3,100-ton frigate, ROKS Daejeon, has earned the distinction of being the top warship in the gunnery competition at the world's largest multinational naval exercise, the 2026 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

This prestigious award, often referred to as the 'Top Gun of the Sea,' was presented to the Daejeon frigate after it achieved the highest score among 13 participating vessels from 10 different countries. The competition took place during the maritime firepower support drill on July 12th (local time) in Hawaii. The announcement was made at the RIMPAC closing ceremony on July 31st (local time).

The gunnery contest involved each ship firing five 5-inch shells at a target located 7.2 kilometers away. The winning vessel was determined by the smallest cumulative error distance from the target. Successfully hitting the target requires precise coordination not only from the gunnery crew but also from the ship's captain and operational and engineering departments, especially when contending with constantly changing maritime conditions like waves, wind, and fog.

This marks a significant achievement for the South Korean Navy, as it is the first time one of its vessels has received this honor since the Sejong the Great destroyer in 2010, sixteen years prior. The award highlights the advanced capabilities and training of the ROKS Daejeon and its crew.