UK’s JFD Completes Historic Submarine Rescue System Integration for South Korean Navy.

On April 24, 2025, JFD, the underwater capability division of the British company James Fisher and Sons plc, announced a major milestone in maritime defense: the successful integration and acceptance of its advanced Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) by the South Korean Navy (ROKN). This marks a technological first for JFD—part of the Defence Division of James Fisher and Sons plc—as it successfully deployed and recovered a free-swimming SRV through a moonpool using an innovative Launch and Recovery System (LARS).
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JFD’s advanced Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV) is undergoing final integration trials. Designed for rapid deployment via moonpool, the SRV is equipped for deep-sea operations and can rescue up to 15 submariners in extreme maritime conditions. This cutting-edge platform is now operational with the Republic of Korea Navy, representing a major leap in subsea rescue capabilities. (Picture source: JFD)

James Fisher and Sons plc, a UK-headquartered marine services group founded in 1847, has evolved into a globally respected player in specialist maritime operations. Its Defence Division, represented by JFD, delivers critical subsea capabilities to naval forces around the world. These include submarine rescue, tactical diving systems, swimmer delivery vehicles, and saturation diving systems. With decades of experience supporting NATO and allied forces, JFD is internationally recognized for its high-reliability underwater platforms and safety-critical engineering.

The SRV delivered to the South Korean Navy (ROKN) represents a new generation of rescue vehicles. Designed for rapid deployment in complex underwater environments, it is capable of operating at depths exceeding 600 meters and can mate with distressed submarines at various angles—capabilities critical to rescue missions in deep and unstable marine terrain. Built to NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) compatibility standards, the SRV is equipped with life support systems capable of sustaining up to 15 survivors for extended periods.

This recent integration under JFD’s contract with South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean involved completing Factory and Harbour Acceptance Trials at JFD’s Glasgow-based subsea manufacturing facility. The final integration phase demanded precise engineering to accommodate the moonpool configuration of the ROKN’s rescue vessel—an uncommon approach compared to traditional side or stern-launch mechanisms.

To support this, JFD engineered a tailored moonpool-specific LARS. This system incorporates hydraulically operated latching mechanisms to safely secure and guide the SRV into a subsea cradle. An advanced control system allows for precise underwater navigation and positioning—essential for operating in the harsh sea states common to the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula. This configuration dramatically enhances the SRV’s operational window and reduces mission risk during high sea states.

By adopting a moonpool system, the ROKN gains a strategic edge in conducting safer, more efficient submarine rescue operations in turbulent maritime environments. The design not only mitigates weather-related limitations but also ensures higher readiness and survivability for submarine crews.

This latest success builds on JFD’s long-standing relationship with the Republic of Korea Navy, following earlier deliveries of SRVs that remain in service today. The program reinforces JFD’s role as a global leader in subsea rescue technology, and it exemplifies the strategic defense cooperation between the United Kingdom and South Korea.

With this advanced SRV system now operational, JFD sets a benchmark in global submarine rescue capabilities—demonstrating how innovation, precision engineering, and mission-critical reliability can converge to protect lives beneath the ocean surface.