ROKS
Lee Beom-seok
(SS 081), eighth submarine of the KSS-II class (pictured). HD HHI is upgrading three KSS-II-class submarines with new combat systems and sonars.
(US Air Force)
South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has initiated a project to upgrade three KSS-II- or Type 214-class submarines in service with the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).
The project aims to improve the surveillance and attack capabilities of the three submarines, and will be implemented by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), DAPA announced on 20 November.
Under the project, HD HHI will replace the combat systems and towed-array sonars of the three submarines with more advanced systems. The three submarines will also be equipped with new mine-avoidance sonars, side-scan sonars, and buoyant antennas to enhance their capabilities to detect and identify threats, DAPA said.
The new combat system in these submarines will be domestically developed, DAPA added. It is unclear if the sonars will be procured from domestic or foreign companies.
DAPA said that it plans to invest around KRW468.9 billion (USD319 million) by 2033 to fund this project.
HD HHI announced on 31 October that it has been awarded a contract by DAPA to upgrade three KSS-II submarines that are more than 10 years old. The KSS-II class comprises nine submarines that were commissioned between 2007 and 2020.
Although HD HHI and DAPA have not disclosed which three submarines will be upgraded, they are very likely to be the first three submarines of the class – ROKS Son Won-il (SS 072), ROKS Jeong Ji (SS 073), and ROKS An Jung-geun (SS 075).
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