KSS-III submarine
The KSS-III (Korean Submarine-III) or Dosan Ahn Changho-class is a series of diesel-electric attack submarines currently being built for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), jointly by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). The KSS-III is the final phase of the Korean Attack Submarine program, a three-phased program to build 27 attack submarines for the ROKN, between 1994–2029.
KSS-III Batch-I SS-083 Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine. | |
Class overview | |
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Builders | |
Operators | Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) |
Preceded by | Son Won-il class (Type 214 submarine) |
Cost | USD $900,000,000 per submarine |
Built | 2014–present |
In service | 2021-present |
Planned | 9 |
Building | 1 |
Completed | 3 |
Active | 3 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Attack submarine |
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Beam |
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Draught |
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Propulsion |
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Range | 10,000 nmi (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) |
Endurance | 20 days (submerged) |
Complement | 50 |
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Notes | First-ever AIP-equipped submarine capable of launching submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). |
The KSS-III initiative consists of the development of nine diesel-electric attack submarines, capable of firing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), to be built in three batches, between 2014–2029.
A total of three submarines of the first batch of the series have been launched, with the first submarine, ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, being commissioned on 13 August 2019. The second ship, ROKS Ahn Mu, was commissioned on 20 April 2023.