Korea has expanded a plan to build three 1,800-ton level 214 submarines starting in 2012 by another six in a bid to double the country's fleet by 2020, the armed forces said Wednesday.
Observers pricked up their ears at the choice of submarines over Aegis vessels as a key strategic weapon to counter any threat posed by powerful nations like China and Japan in the event of reunification with North Korea.
According to a statement from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Wednesday and other sources, the Navy and Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to launch three German-made 214-grade submarines by 2010 in the first phase, and start building six more subs starting in 2012, in addition to the nine Korea already has, a decision that reflects their fresh assessment of what will be needed in the mid- to long term. A source confirmed that the total number of submarines is to be upped to around 18.
On top of the 214-level subs, it has also recently become clear that the administration and Navy plan to acquire three stronger and bigger 3,000-ton submarines estimated to cost W3.7 trillion between 2010 and 2022.
Currently, the Navy has nine German-made Chanbogo class subs (Type 209) and three Dolphin class subs. When the Chanbogo class subs introduced in the 1990s are retired, they will be gradually replaced with the next-generation subs to maintain the total at 18.
The 214 class submarines with a 65 m hull and 1,800-ton displacement outstrip the Chanbogo subs, the Navy’s current core subs, in scale and performance. Thus they are capable of two weeks’ continuous operation at sea and are armed with up to 20 torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and mines. When equipped with ship-to-ground cruise missiles, they are capable of attacking strategic targets in both North Korea and neighboring countries.
Japan has 16 state-of-the-art submarines including eight 3,000-ton Oyashio class submarines, while China has a fleet of 60 including Han class offensive nuclear-powered submarines. The U.S. has as its mainstay 77 7,000-ton Los Angeles class submarines propelled by nuclear power, and North Korea has 22 1,700-ton Romio class subs.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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