Korean Attack Submarine program
Encyclopedia
Korean Attack Submarine program, KSS meaning Submarine, is a three-phased project to build up the Republic of Korea Navy
(ROK Navy)'s submarine
arsenal. Before the KSS program, the submarine fleet of the ROK Navy consisted of midget submarines, such as the Dolgorae class submarine and SX 756 Dolphin class submarine, which had limited capabilities for inshore operations. The KSS program sought to acquire submarines that can deter hostile submarines and surface ships; protect friendly naval bases and sea shores communications; carry out reconnaissance missions.
Through the first phase, KSS-I, the ROK Navy acquired nine 1,200-ton Chang Bo-go class submarines
. For the second phase, KSS-II, the ROK Navy plans to acquire nine 1,800-ton Type 214 submarine
s with Air-Independent propulsion (AIP) system; the lead ship of her class, ROKS Sohn Won-il (SS 072) was launched at a shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries on June 9, 2006. The third phase of the program, KSS-III is scheduled to begin in 2007 and it was previously planned to have the lead ship of her class ready in 2017. A total of nine 3,000-ton KSS-III submarines are expected to be built in South Korea with indigenous technologies (i.e. not going under license as the previous KSS-I and KSS-II submarines).
In May 2009, South Korea decided to delay by two years its KSS-III project. The project is expected to cost around 800 millions dollars (597 millions euros). 9 additional 1,800-ton submarines will be operational in 2018.
Republic of Korea Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
(ROK Navy)'s submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
arsenal. Before the KSS program, the submarine fleet of the ROK Navy consisted of midget submarines, such as the Dolgorae class submarine and SX 756 Dolphin class submarine, which had limited capabilities for inshore operations. The KSS program sought to acquire submarines that can deter hostile submarines and surface ships; protect friendly naval bases and sea shores communications; carry out reconnaissance missions.
Through the first phase, KSS-I, the ROK Navy acquired nine 1,200-ton Chang Bo-go class submarines
Type 209 submarine
The Type 209 is a class of diesel-electric attack submarine developed exclusively for export in the late 1960s by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft of Germany...
. For the second phase, KSS-II, the ROK Navy plans to acquire nine 1,800-ton Type 214 submarine
Type 214 submarine
The Type 214 is a diesel-electric submarine developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH . It features diesel propulsion with an air-independent propulsion system using Siemens polymer electrolyte membrane hydrogen fuel cells...
s with Air-Independent propulsion (AIP) system; the lead ship of her class, ROKS Sohn Won-il (SS 072) was launched at a shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries on June 9, 2006. The third phase of the program, KSS-III is scheduled to begin in 2007 and it was previously planned to have the lead ship of her class ready in 2017. A total of nine 3,000-ton KSS-III submarines are expected to be built in South Korea with indigenous technologies (i.e. not going under license as the previous KSS-I and KSS-II submarines).
In May 2009, South Korea decided to delay by two years its KSS-III project. The project is expected to cost around 800 millions dollars (597 millions euros). 9 additional 1,800-ton submarines will be operational in 2018.