South Korea unveils new submarine in show of force against North Korea
SOUTH Korea has unveiled a new advanced submarine in a bid to counter North Korea’s growing war capabilities.
By REBECCA FLOOD
Express.co.uk
Mon, Jul 10, 2017
n an escalation of hostilities between the two nations – which are technically still at war – Seoul debuted its latest military technology.
The 1,800-tonne Yu Gwan-sun submarine is the most sophisticated in the six-strong Jang Bogo-II Class fleet, which launched in 2008.
Seoul plans to deploy the formidable vessel, which takes its name from the country’s most well known independence leader, in December.
With a full cell on board the diesel-powered submarine, it can remain underwater for 10 days at a time.
The 65-metre long vessel has air-independent propulsion (AIP), and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed it can hit more than 300 underwater targets simultaneously.
Choi Hee-kyung, a DAPA official in charge of the program, said: “The Yu Gwan-sun is the world’s top-class diesel-powered submarine capable of handling more than 300 underwater targets at the same time.
“Equipped with a fuel battery system, it can conduct underwater operations for 10 days or longer without surfacing above the water.
“This reinforces the underwater power of our Navy, which is numerically inferior to North Korea and its 80 submarines.”
The latest addition to the fleet is believed to be part of the country’s attempt to shore up defences against the belligerent North.
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