South Korea holds keel-laying ceremony for second Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine.

According to information published by the South Korean MoD on July 12, 2024, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), led by Commissioner Seok Jong-geon, held a keel-laying ceremony for the second vessel of the Jangbogo-III Batch-II series. The event took place at Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, with representatives from the Navy, the shipyard, and DAPA in attendance.
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A model of a Jangbogo III Batch II submarine in Seoul, South Korea. (Picture source: Navy Recognition)

The keel-laying ceremony marks a critical milestone in ship construction, involving the placement of the first block of the hull on the building slipway. This event signifies the formal commencement of the vessel's construction.

Following the keel-laying of the first vessel in the Jangbogo-III Batch-II series in March 2023, the timely progression of the second vessel highlights South Korea's advancement toward becoming a leading submarine power.

Compared to the Batch-I series, the Jangbogo-III Batch-II second vessel will feature increased localization of components, enhancing the timely and reliable maintenance support capabilities and ensuring more stable operation.

Building on the localization achievements of the Batch-I series, the Batch-II series will incorporate an additional 12 types of domestically produced equipment, including a lithium battery system, bringing the total to 70 types of localized equipment.

This increased localization is expected to boost the domestic economy by reducing reliance on expensive imported equipment and components. Moreover, it will mitigate potential export controls and intellectual property disputes, thereby strengthening South Korea's competitive edge in the global submarine market.

The second vessel, honored at the ceremony, is scheduled for completion by 2026, followed by sea trials and delivery to the Navy by 2028. The first vessel is slated for launch in the first half of 2025, with construction of the third vessel beginning in the latter half of 2024.

The Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarines represent a significant upgrade over the Jangbogo-III Batch-I submarines, such as the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (delivered in August 2021), the An Mu (delivered in April 2023), and the Shin Chae-ho (scheduled for delivery in April 2024). Enhancements include increased weight and size, improved detection and target processing capabilities, advanced combat and sonar systems, and state-of-the-art noise reduction technologies.

Notably, these submarines will be equipped with a lithium battery system, making South Korea the second nation to adopt this technology, significantly enhancing underwater operational endurance. Safety features include real-time monitoring and diagnostic systems for the lithium battery, along with specialized fire suppression systems.

Since 2016, the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute has hosted a dedicated land-based testing facility to verify the performance and safety of the lithium battery system. Continuous testing and validation, in collaboration with academic and research experts, have reaffirmed the system's safety.