South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved the basic acquisition strategy for the Jang Bogo N nuclear-powered attack submarine programme on Friday, November 6.
The decision clears the way for shipbuilder selection and design work in 2027.
The programme, also designated KSS-III Batch-III, was approved at the 179th meeting of the Defense Project Promotion Committee, held at the Ministry of National Defense.
Under the approved structure, a domestic shipbuilder chosen through competitive bidding will undertake hull development, construction and systems integration. The government will develop or acquire the propulsion reactor and selected major weapons, including some core missile systems, and supply them to the integrator as government-furnished equipment.
DAPA said preliminary research had shown that domestic shipbuilders had sufficient submarine design and construction capability to justify competition rather than a sole-source award.
A system development basic plan will be prepared during 2027. A tender notice, proposal assessment and negotiations will follow in the second half of the year, with the aim of concluding a contract before the end of 2027.
The Chosun Daily reported an initial design budget of KRW96.6 billion (US$71 million) for work beginning in 2027. DAPA has not disclosed a total programme cost, although an estimate of KRW28.9 trillion (US$21 billion) has been reported.
DAPA officials said that an in-depth cost analysis has been underway since January, with results due at the end of November and talks with budget authorities planned for early 2027.
The programme was exempted from the normal feasibility study, which typically takes one to two years, under provisions for acquisitions requiring exceptional security.
The government is targeting a launch of the lead boat in the mid-2030s and operational deployment in the late 2030s or later.
DAPA officials said the approved strategy does not cover follow-on boats, which will be planned once the lead boat's design and performance have been demonstrated.
Reports have described a fleet of three submarines of more than 8,000 tonnes, but DAPA has declined to confirm quantity, performance or armament, citing security classification.
DAPA said the submarines would, "strengthen deterrence against security threats such as North Korea's nuclear and missile programs."
The planned fuel is low-enriched uranium, but South Korea and the United States have not concluded arrangements to supply it for naval propulsion.
The first bilateral negotiating meeting took place in June, and a second round had not been scheduled when the approval was announced.
A defence ministry official said a separate agreement under Section 91 of the US Atomic Energy Act, following the AUKUS precedent, could be used rather than amending the existing civil nuclear agreement. Asked whether a contract could be signed before the US talks conclude, DAPA said the matter would require policy and political judgement.
The ministry announced the programme's basic development plan in May. In July, it issued a draft special act addressing submarine procurement, service and nuclear safety oversight, which it aims to see enacted before the end of 2026.
