South Korea advances nuclear submarine programme

An artist's impression of South Korea's future ‘Jangbogo N' nuclear submarine. (South Korean MND)

South Korea has approved a plan to develop a nuclear-powered submarine under its ‘Jangbogo N' programme. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced the decision on 9 November following an acquisition programme committee meeting three days earlier.

At the same meeting, the committee also approved plans to procure the Korean Tactical Surface-to-Surface Missile (KTSSM)-I Block-II, develop new mine-countermeasures unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and select Sikorsky's S-92A+ for the presidential helicopter fleet.

It also approved a revised plan and further production of tactical radios under the Tactical Information Communication Network (TICN) programme, as well as a plan to develop new harbour patrol craft.

Jangbogo N

DAPA said, “At this defense acquisition committee meeting, the basic strategy for the Jangbogo N project was deliberated and approved.”

It added that the Jangbogo N project – also designated as the Korean Attack Submarine (KSS)-III Batch-III submarine – is intended to produce nuclear-powered boats through domestic research and development. DAPA said work on the project would begin in 2027. South Korea's Ministry of National Defence (MND) unveiled the project in May.

DAPA said the new submarines would offer greater submerged endurance and manoeuvrability than South Korea's existing diesel-electric submarines. DAPA said it expects the Jangbogo N boats to strengthen deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile threats and support an underwater ‘kill chain'.

As Janes reported in May, the MND plans to use low-enriched uranium fuel and design the Jangbogo N submarines for long operating periods between refuelling. The MND said the programme would draw on domestic nuclear-engineering and shipbuilding capabilities and cover the vessels' full life cycle, including fuel management and eventual dismantling.

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