Dosan Ahn Changho-class of the Korean Vertical Launching System which will be able to carry up to 10 indigenous "Chonryong" land-attack cruise missiles and "Hyunmoo" submarine-launched ballistic missiles,[1] becoming the first submarine in the South Korean navy to have this kind of capability. It will also have many other improvements compared to its predecessors built with a greater degree of South Korean technology, especially in the later batches, which will include Samsung SDIlithium-ion batteries.[2][3] Measured to weigh over 3800 tonnes submerged during sea trials,[4] they are the largest conventional submarines ever built by South Korea. The Batch II vessels will increase their displacement by approximately 450 tonnes (4,250 tonnes submerged), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.[5]
In response to questions whether ROK Navy was currently developing capabilities to counter SLBM threat, the ministry confirmed that KSS-III Batch-II will undergo redesign process before construction (lasting until December 30, 2018) to accommodate some important capability upgrades. These upgrades will give the Batch-II Submarines better capabilities at both attacking strategic land-based facilities and performing anti-submarine warfare.
South Korea
