South Korea’s third KSS-III submarine commissioned into service

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) recently commissioned its newest diesel-electric submarine into service.

ROKS Shin Chae-ho is the third South Korean Navy submarine to be built under the KSS-III series, also known as the Dosan Ahn Changho-class.

Like its sisters, the 3,000-tonne, 83.5-metre-long submarine will be crewed by 50 officers and enlisted sailors and will be capable of a maximum speed of 20 knots. Armament will include ballistic missiles and torpedoes.

Shin Chae-ho is the only submarine in the Dosan Ahn Changho-class to  built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. The two earlier sisters ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho and ROKS Ahn Mu were built by Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering).

Hanwha Ocean is also building the fourth submarine in the class, the future ROKS Lee Bong-chang, which is scheduled for delivery to the ROKN in 2026. This submarine will be 5.5 metres longer than its sisters to allow the incorporation of additional vertical launch cells for ballistic missiles.