The keel laying ceremony held on July 12 was attended by members of the ROK Navy, Hanwha Ocean, and the Republic of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA). Following the keel laying ceremony for the lead vessel of the KSS-III Batch-II program held in March 2023, the successful ceremony for the second vessel of the KSS-III Batch-II demonstrated the program’s timely execution, even after the transition from DSME to Hanwha Ocean. The attendees at the ceremony expressed their hopes and anticipation that the successful construction of the second vessel will play a key role in ensuring future national security.
The second KSS-III Batch-II submarine will incorporate more indigenous parts and systems than Batch-I, enhancing the ability to provide timely logistics support for more stable construction and future operations. Batch-II will include 12 additional domestically produced systems, such as the lithium battery system, bringing the total number of localized systems to 70. This increase in localization is anticipated to grant the KSS-III greater freedom from export controls and intellectual property disputes in future submarine exports, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of Korean submarines in the global market.
Construction of the second submarine is scheduled for completion by 2026, followed by sea trials, with delivery to the ROK Navy expected in 2028. The first submarine, which had its keel laying ceremony early last year, is planned for launch in the first half of 2025, and the third vessel is set to have its steel cutting ceremony in the second half of 2024.
Mr. Sang-woo Lee Director of the Korean Submarine Project Division at DAPA stated:
The evolutionary achievements of the Jangbogo-III Batch-II second submarine have once again demonstrated the excellence of domestic submarine construction technology to the world. This is expected to significantly contribute to the development of naval power and the national economy through future exports. We will do our best to build the world’s best submarines.
KSS-III Batch-II
The KSS-III Batch-II is larger, more advanced and silent than the KSS-III Batch-I Dosan Anchang-ho class submarine currently operated by the ROK Navy. Primary differences from Batch-I include the use of lithium-ion batteries to increase its submerged endurance capabilities. With the increased size, it has a total of 10 VLS cells for SLBMs. Additionally, it features enhanced detection capabilities through a horseshoe sonar array, as well as improved combat and target processing capabilities with an upgraded combat management system.
Since 2016, a dedicated test facility at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has been conducting continuous testing and verification of the lithium battery system’s performance and safety for use on submarines. The Batch-II submarines are the second in the world to feature a lithium-ion battery system, incorporating real-time status monitoring, risk diagnostic management equipment, and special fire extinguishing systems to ensure the safe operation of the lithium-ion battery system in the KSS-III Batch-II submarine.
Displacement: 3,600t (surfaced), 4,000t (submerged)
Length: 89.4m
Beam: 9.7m
Draught: 7.6m
Weapons: 6 x 533mm ATP torpedo tubes Babcock International WHLS (K761 Tiger Shark, C-Star-III), Submarine Launched Mobile Mine (SLMM), 10 x VLS (Hyunmoo-IV-4)
Propulsion System: Diesel-Electric AIP, 3 x Rolls-Royce MTU 12V 4000 U83 Diesel Engine, 4 x Bumhan PH1 Fuel Cell
Battery: lithium-ion battery
Speed: 20 knots (submerged)
Range: 18,500km (surfaced)
Watch Naval News’ recent interview on KSS-III with an official from DAPA:
