MADEX 2025: Hanwha Ocean unveils Future Submarine concept

A model of the Hanwha Ocean's Future Submarine concept on display at MADEX 2025. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

South Korea's Hanwha Ocean has unveiled a vessel concept known as the Future Submarine, which showcases the company's shipbuilding capabilities and the suite of options that can be adopted for future requirements.

Speaking to Janes at MADEX 2025 in Busan, a representative from the company described the concept as one that promises significantly enhanced stealth capabilities when compared with submarines in the market today.

A significant factor that has contributed to the vessel's stealthiness is its rim-driven propulsion system, which lacks the central hub found in conventional propellers.

This relatively novel propulsion system has only been made feasible in recent years, given advances in motor technology, and would significantly lower the acoustic signature generated by the submarine, said the Hanwha representative.

Besides the rim-driven propulsion, the submarine is also equipped with retractable bow planes, and a sail is incorporated with 360° panoramic sensors, which reduces the need for protruding masts.

It can be built with an X-form rudder for greater control and manoeuvrability within littoral waters, but the submarine can also be built with cross-form rudders should the prospective customer request it.

Similarly, the vessel's tonnage, overall length, and weapon options can be tailored according to the customer's requirements, but generally the concept has been conceived for services that require vessels with a similar tonnage to the KSS-III.

The Future Submarine can be armed with vertical launching tubes for land attack missiles.

For more information, please seeHanwha Ocean proposes Batch II variant of KSS-III submarine for Canada .