With a view to the incorporation of new submarines, the Navy of Greece would have received a new comprehensive proposal from the South Korean company Hanwha Ocean, to complement the Type 214s that the Hellenic naval force currently possesses. According to what was reported by local media, the offer of the Asian firm would focus on the provision of four modern KSS-III Batch II submarines (Dosan Ahn Changho class), a design already offered in other international programs.
Based on what was recently revealed, the proposal includes not only the construction of new units, but also the modernization of the four U214 attack submarines of German design, which are also known as the Papanikolis class that today operate in the Greek navy (South Korea has experience in this model, since it built new U214 submarines under German license for its own navy). The program would cover the four examples that to this day make up the fleet, a list composed of the HS Papanikolis, HS Pipinos, HS Matrozos, and the HS Katsonis.
Requirements of the Hellenic Navy
By way of context, last May, the Hellenic Navy published the technical guidelines of its submarine program, which establish requirements for the incorporation of at least four new submarines. Among the highlighted points are at least 25% national industrial participation, the obligation to have air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, low acoustic indiscretion, lithium-ion batteries, high level of automation, sonar, and the ability to employ both anti-ship and land-attack missiles. Likewise, the integration of unmanned systems, both aerial and submarine, is sought.
The proposal of Hanwha Ocean
On this basis, Hanwha Ocean offers a comprehensive package that contemplates joint construction in Greek shipyards, with transfer of technology and participation of the local industry. But in addition, as was well mentioned, the modernization of the current Type U214 is proposed, which would allow Greece to maintain a homogeneous and updated fleet.
The proposal is inserted, moreover, in a broader scheme of cooperation in defense matters, which includes drones and land vehicles, with strong emphasis on co-production and integration in the European rearmament cycle. But moreover, it is important to mention that this is not an isolated effort, where Hanwha has been promoting the KSS-III submarines in several programs around the world, among them, Canada, Poland and Peru. In all cases, the South Korean company has put on the table packages that include local construction and transfer of technology, seeking to position its design as an alternative to European competitors.
Following this last point, the competition for the Greek program for new submarines has other offers. For its part, Naval Group participates with its Scorpène and Barracuda submarines, while the German TKMS promotes its Type 218, 209NG and 212CD designs. In turn, Saab competes with the Swedish A26. All these alternatives highlight similar features in terms of AIP, automation, latest-generation sensors and broad packages of industrial cooperation.
KSS-III Batch II in South Korea
Currently, the Navy of South Korea has three KSS-III submarines in service and is advancing in the construction of the second series (Batch II), designed to carry cruise and ballistic missiles, in addition to heavy torpedoes, which position them as platforms of high deterrence capability. Giving account of their progress, in October 2024 the construction of the third and last submarine of this variant for the South Korean Navy (ROKN) began, with a view to its completion being scheduled for the year 2029 and delivery for 2031, after completing navigation trials and integrated systems tests. For analysts, although the final configuration for Greece will depend on future negotiations, it is a feature that adds attractiveness to the South Korean proposal.
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Greece is broke and doesn’t need sumarines