In order to improve the capabilities of its KSS-II submarine fleet, which are themselves based on the Type 214 of the German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the South Korean Navy has decided to launch its modernization plan that had already been approved in 2023 by the Defense Projects Promotion Committee. As has been reported by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), this is a program that will seek to drive a renewal of the surveillance and attack systems of the submarines, with the company HD Hyundai Heavy Industries being the one in charge of carrying it out.
Delving into some relevant details, it is worth mentioning that the program would cover three submarines, which would be fitted with a new combat system developed by local South Korean companies. In addition, these units will see their current towed sonars replaced by more advanced systems, although DAPA has not indicated whether they will be indigenous alternatives or whether they will be acquired from partners abroad.
Added to these significant upgrades, it has also been mentioned that the aim will be to install on the KSS-II a new system for detecting naval mines deployed by the enemy in strategic areas, while lateral scanning sonars and floating antennas will be added, which will have an impact when it comes to identifying and tracking potential threats. Taken together, all these items would require the investment of an amount close to 468.9 billion won by Seoul, while the deadlines to complete the works would extend until the year 2033.
Beyond this modernization plan, it is also necessary to highlight that the South Korean Navy is also in the process of reinforcing its submarine fleet with the new KSS-III Batch II models, whose first unit has already been launched at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard facilities located in the locality of Geoje. This is the submarine that will bear the name ROKS Jang Yeong-sil (SS-087), which is characterized by its design developed entirely in the Asian country, adding different improvements compared to the Batch I version that range from its attack capabilities to those of stealth and survivability.
Finally, it cannot go without mention that the news of the decision to move forward with a modernization plan for its KSS-II submarines comes just a few days after it became known that South Korea reached an agreement with the U.S. to begin the future development of its new nuclear-powered attack submarines. Just as we reported last November 17, Washington has even committed to supply the nuclear fuel for this future fleet, thus marking the advance from a first stage limited to technical consultations toward one of concrete cooperation.
*Images used for illustrative purposes
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