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GE to Supply Samsung Techwin with LM2500 Gas Turbine for Korean KDX Destroyer

November 15, 2004

EVENDALE, Ohio -- GE Transportation's marine gas turbine operations will supply Samsung Techwin Co. Ltd., Seoul, Korea with 12 LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines. The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy will use the gas turbines for its next-generation KDX Type III destroyer. 

"We are very pleased that the Republic of Korea Navy has extended its vote of confidence in the GE family and the LM2500 gas turbine system for the KDX-III program," said Karl Matson, general manger of GE Transportation's marine operations, Evendale, Ohio. 

Hyundai or Daewoo Shipyards in Korea are building a total of three KDX Type III destroyers, each of which weigh more than 7,000 tons. The vessels will be equipped with AEGIS combat systems. Each will use four LM2500 gas turbines rated at 30,000 shaft horsepower (shp) for total propulsion system output of 120,000 shp. The LM2500s will feature GE's latest integrated electronic control system for high power output. 

To date, GE has supplied more than 70 LM2500 gas turbines to the ROK Navy for a variety of frigates, corvettes and destroyers, including the KDX Type I and Type II destroyer programs. 

Samsung is the gas turbine contractor for this destroyer program. The LM2500 engine kits will be delivered to Samsung in March 2005 for assembly and test at its Chang-won, Korea plant. Samsung will deliver the first engine to the Korean Navy in June 2006. Samsung will also manufacture more than 40 LM2500 parts for the localization program. The destroyers are slated to begin operating in late 2008, 2010 and 2012. 

GE Transportation's marine business is one of the world's leading manufacturers of a variety of marine products for military and commercial marine applications - in the 1,600 to 57,330 shaft horsepower range -- including aeroderivative gas turbines, diesel engines and main reduction gearing. GE gas turbines range from 6,000 to 57,330 shaft horsepower. The GE diesel family of medium speed engines includes 8, 12 and 16 cylinder V configurations ranging between 1,600 to 4,000 shp for both commercial marine and industrial applications.