For the first time since they were incorporated into South Korea’s fleets, one of the new KSS-III Batch-I submarines will conduct joint exercises with elements of the United States Navy (US Navy) in waters near the strategic island of Guam, in an activity known as Silent Shark. According to local reports, the submarine assigned to this milestone is the ROKS Ahn Mu, which is said to have departed from Jinhae Naval Base earlier this month to take part in the exercises in question.
Expanding on some details, it should be highlighted that these are biennial exercises organized by the U.S. Navy’s Western Pacific Submarine Command. Held since 2007, their main objective is to improve interoperability between South Korean and U.S. units in the aeronaval domain, thereby strengthening their partnership in the Indo-Pacific region and sending a message of deterrence to potential threats. In this regard, it is worth recalling that the South Korean Navy has participated in the exercises on six occasions with its KSS-I submarines, and on three other occasions with its KSS-II submarines.
It is also useful to note that the US Navy has deployed a submarine and a P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the activities, which will be complemented by two South Korean P-3s. Together, the force will focus on submarine detection and tracking exercises, as well as combat simulations that will put both nations’ anti-submarine warfare capabilities to the test.
A brief overview of the characteristics of the new KSS-III Batch-I submarines
As this marks their first time operating alongside the U.S. Navy, it is useful to review the main features of the South Korean–designed and –built KSS-III Batch-I submarines, also known as the Jangbogo-III class. Beginning with their dimensions, reports indicate that they have a length of 83.3 meters, a beam of 9.6 meters, and a draught of about 7.62 meters—space that accommodates their 3,000-ton displacement and the crew of 50 needed to operate them. They are also known to feature a propulsion system based on fuel cells and lead-acid batteries, along with advanced noise-control technologies that significantly enhance their stealth.
In terms of armament, each unit is equipped with eight 533 mm torpedo tubes, as well as a six-cell vertical launch system (VLS) enabling the deployment of cruise and ballistic missiles. As for sensors, the KSS-III Batch-I submarines make use of electro-optical surveillance masts developed by Safran Electronics & Defense, along with a signals intelligence system and a Link 11 data link to allow information sharing with other allied platforms.
In addition to these features, each submarine is equipped with an inertial navigation system (INS) paired with a GPS system to facilitate navigation. The design also incorporates marine radars, Pegaso electronic support systems, an active sonar, and a towed array sonar that provides extensive capabilities for target detection and tracking.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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