South Korea launches its first missile-capable submarine
South Korea launched its first ever missile-capable attack submarine on 14 September, despite a recent diplomatic thaw with the nuclear-armed North.
The $700 million, 3,000t Dosan Ahn Chang-ho submarine is capable of firing both cruise and ballistic missiles, and it is the first of three planned diesel-electric boats to go into service in the next five years.
It represented a ‘leap forward in the country's’ defence industry, South Korean President Moon Jae-in told the audience at a launch ceremony at the Daewoo shipyard where it was designed and built.
Moon will head to Pyongyang in the week of 17 September for a third summit with the North's leader Kim Jong-un, as US-led efforts to persuade Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons have stalled.
Moon said: ‘We have set off on a grand journey toward the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. But peace is not given gratuitously. Peace through power is the unwavering security strategy of this government.’
The new submarine is fitted with six vertical-launch tubes and features indigenous sonar and combat management systems.
Aside from the new vessels, South Korea has an existing fleet of 18 smaller submarines, all built in cooperation with Germany.
According to the defence ministry, the North has 70 ageing submarines and submersibles, and Yonhap news agency reported that it has also developed a new 2,500t submarine fitted with a vertical-launch system.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals]()
Hanwha Ocean and TKMS are firming up their Canadian next-gen submarine proposals
CPSP competitors are proposing platforms fitted with advanced, next-generation capabilities to be built and sustained in cooperation with the Canadian industry.
-
![UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration]()
UK’s $1 billion AUKUS support request signals strong ongoing US collaboration
The latest foreign military sales request from the UK has implications for the future of the programme and collaboration between the three nations.
-
![US Coast Guard prepares acquisition process of up to seven light icebreakers]()
US Coast Guard prepares acquisition process of up to seven light icebreakers
The USCG plans to award a contract this year for the construction of Homeland Security Cutters. The new vessels will replace the 60-plus-year-old fleet of Light Icebreaking Tugs.
-
![RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity]()
RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
