Seoul - South Korean shipbuilding giant Hanwha Ocean has secured a lucrative deal, amounting to 1.1 trillion won (approximately US$845 million), to construct a 3,600-ton submarine for the country's Navy. This development marks a significant milestone in the nation's defense sector.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hanwha Ocean finalized the agreement on Friday. This deal represents the third and final submarine construction under the ambitious Changbogo-III Batch-II program. The company, which was previously known as Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, has been actively involved in building two other submarines of the Changbogo-III class since 2021.
This contract is particularly noteworthy as it is the first submarine construction project Hanwha Ocean has undertaken since its integration into the Hanwha Group in April. The construction of this advanced submarine is projected to be completed by 2029, with its deployment into the South Korean Navy anticipated in 2031, following an extensive two-year testing phase.
The Batch-II submarines represent a significant advancement in naval technology. They are larger and heavier than the previously commissioned 3,000-ton class Dosan Ahn Chang-ho and ROKS Ahn Mu submarines. One of the key features of these submarines is the integration of an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system coupled with lithium-ion batteries. This combination is expected to enhance underwater operational duration while simultaneously reducing propulsion noise, a critical factor in submarine stealth capabilities.
Moreover, these newly designed submarines will be outfitted with state-of-the-art combat systems, including advanced detection and targeting capabilities, as well as the latest sonar technology. These enhancements are anticipated to significantly boost the operational effectiveness of the South Korean Navy's submarine fleet.