South Korea proposes joint manufacture of Hellenic Navy submarines

Greek newspaper Ekathimerini reports that the South Korean Government recently submitted a number of defence proposals to Greece including an offer of joint manufacture of diesel-electric submarines for the Hellenic Navy.

The submarine design being considered is the KSS-III, also known as the Dosan Ahn Changho-class in Republic of Korea Navy service. Each boat will measure approximately 84 metres long and will be armed with ballistic missiles, land attack cruise missiles, and torpedoes.

The KSS-III submarines are being proposed as possible replacements for the Hellenic Navy's Type 209 boats that have been in service since the 1970s. These will be operated alongside the navy's Type 214 boats, which are slated to undergo modernisation.

If selected, South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean will participate in the joint construction of four KSS-III submarines for Greece. In compliance with the requirements of the Hellenic Ministry of Defence, the boats will be built with Greek defence industry participation of at least 25 per cent.