HHI launches South Korean Navy’s seventh class-214 submarine

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has launched South Korea’s seventh class-214 KSS-II submarine, Hong Beom-do, at its Special and Naval Shipbuilding Division in Ulsan, South Korea.

The submarine has been named after the commander-in-chief of the Korean Independence Army, Hong Beom-do, and is expected to strengthen the nation’s capability to undertake underwater surveillance operations, according to a report by janes.com.

The diesel-electric air independent propulsion (AIP) submarine measures 65m-long and is 7m-wide, with a displacement capacity of 1,800t.

Powered by two MTU diesel engines, the submarine is capable of cruising at a maximum speed of 20k with a crew of 40.

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The high-yield steel used to build the vessel is designed to enable it to dive up to 400m, and it can operate underwater for two weeks with Siemens polymer electrolytic membrane fuel cells.

The submarine is equipped with long-range submarine-to-ground cruise missiles, developed using Korea’s own technology; torpedoes and mines featuring an automatic simultaneous target tracking system; and a torpedo guidance and detection system.

Under the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy’s KSS-II Project, HHI assumed the responsibility to construct six of nine 1,800t submarines.

Construction of the ninth submarine is currently underway and the seventh submarine is expected to be delivered next year after undergoing the seaborne operational trials.

In 2014, HHI launched the fifth class-214 submarine, ROKS Yun Bong-gil for the ROK Navy at its shipyard in Ulsan, Seoul.

Image: HHI launches the ROK Navy’s seventh class submarine. Photo: courtesy Hyundai Heavy Industries.