Daewoo Shipbuilding launches missile-capable attack submarine for South Korean Navy

Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) launched the attack submarine Dosan Ahn Chang-ho at its Okpo shipyard on Friday, September 14.

The US$700 million diesel-electric air independent propulsion submarine is 83.3 metres long and 9.6 metres wide. It weighs 3,000 tonnes and can accommodate up to 50 officers and enlisted sailors.

The submarine has six vertical launch tubes and locally-manufactured sonar and combat management systems.

Dosan Ahn Chang-ho’s ability to fire both cruise and ballistic missiles makes it South Korea’s first missile-capable attack submarine.

The submarine will undergo a series of tests prior to commissioning into the South Korean Navy, which is slated for December 2020.