The Ship Model Forum

South Korea eyes French design for indigenous nuclear sub, sources say
By: Jeff Jeong   1 hour ago

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s Navy is reviewing a plan to build a 5,000-ton nuclear-powered submarine in an effort to boost its deterrence against North Korea’s sub-based nuclear attack capability.

Last October, the service commissioned from the Korea Defense Network five months worth of research on the feasibility of developing an indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarine. The Seoul-based think tank recently reported the results to the Navy, suggesting the service build a nuclear attack submarine modeled after the French 5,300-ton Barracuda-class sub, multiple Navy sources told Defense News.

“We’re reviewing the KDN report on indigenous submarine building in a careful manner,” a Navy spokesman said. “After thorough review, we’ll report it to the defense minister and the presidential office subsequently for final decision.”

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Friday, October 11, 2019
South Korea looking at possible building and operating nuclear-powered submarines

The ROKN's Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine could be the stepping stone for their future nuclear submarine design.

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) disclosed on 10 October 2019 that it is looking at the possibility of constructing and operating nuclear-powered submarines, and has already a task force headed by a commander-level official studying this option.

Korean media reported that ROKN Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Sim Seung Seob was quoted saying nuclear-powered submarines are the most effective in detecting and destroyiung North Korea’s ballistic missile submarines (SSBMs) as it is capable of carrying out operations underwater for a longer period of time compared to conventional powered submarines.

The ROKN was also quick to mention that the presence of such task force studying the nuclear submarine option does necessarily mean it would be pushed for its immediate approval.

South Korea currently has 10 conventional-powered submarines, far less than North Korea which has around 70, although South Korea’s submarines are modern and more capable than the mostly Cold War-era submarines of its northern rival. (...SNIPPED)

South Korea plans to deploy enhanced submarines in the next five years
August News 2020 Navy Naval Maritime Defense Industry
11 August 2020
According to information published by the Korea Herald Website on August 10, 2020, the South Korean Defense Ministry plans to deploy enhanced submarines in the next five years able to carry more ballistic missiles.
An official from the South Korea Ministry of Defense said, we will develop new submarines that will be able to carry more ballistic missiles than the existing Dosan submarines, which have six launching tubes. The submarine will be powered by a nuclear engine instead of diesel.
The South Korea Navy currently operates a submarine fleet of nine diesel-electric Jang Bogo-class (Type 209/1200) and seven Son Won II-class (Type 214) hybrid diesel-electric/fuel cell vessels with air-independent propulsion (AIP).
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South Korea Is Packing Submarines With Rockets For Taking Out North Korea’s Nukes
David AxeContributor
Aerospace & Defense
A South Korean navy 'Son Won II' submarine.
U.S. Navy
South Korea’s got some weird submarines. And they’re about to get weirder ... and more powerful.
As part of a sweeping, five-year defense plan costing $250 billion, Seoul plans to develop a new class of attack submarine carrying non-nuclear ballistic missiles.
Conventional ballistic missiles are a rarity on submarines. For land-attack missions, most navies arm their undersea boats with cruise missiles, as cruise missiles are more accurate—albeit slower and less powerful—than ballistic missiles are.
But Seoul has some, ahem, unique defense needs owing to the presence on its border of a heavily-armed and belligerent nuclear state. South Korea’s submarines and their hard-hitting ballistic missiles give the country some ability to prevent a North Korean attack.
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