South Korea has launched its seventh KSS-2 submarine, manufactured by
Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), at Ulsan Shipyards. The Son Won-il class
submarine was named Hong Beom-do, after a hero of South Korean
independence struggle. |
The submarine
is a Type 214 design, incorporating diesel AIP (Air-Independent) propulsion.
Hyundai Heavy Industries has so far built four submarines of the same
class and has under construction a fifth. Hong Beom-do will be officially
handed over to the Republic of Korea Navy in July 2017 given the successful
completion of dock and sea trials.
South Korea ordered the first batch of three Type 214 submarines in
2000. A second order was placed in 2009 for an additional six units,
which feature improvements in the autonomy provided by the AIP system.
Of the total nine, HHI was scheduled to deliver six and Daewoo Shipbuilding
and Marine Engineering the rest of them.
The KSS-2 / Type 214 submarines of the RoKN have a length of 65 m.,
a beam of 6.3 m, a draught of 6 m. and are capable of reaching a depth
of 400 m. Their crew is comprised of 40 people. Their weapons include
mines and White Shard torpedoes which are launched from eight 533 mm.
tubes. |
Picture of the launch ceremony. Hyundai Heavy Industries picture.