South Korea launched a new 2,800-ton frigate with anti-submarine capabilities on Tuesday to protect the country’s maritime border with North Korea, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

At a launching ceremony at Hyundai Heavy Industries Co.’s shipyard in Ulsan, ROK Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Jung-soo said the new ship will help South Korea “protect peace” amid continuing North Korean threats.

“The security environment surrounding South Korea is very grave at the moment. North Korea has launched missiles several times this year, threatening our peace and security,” Kim said. “As we saw from recent inter-state conflicts and