Jang Yeongsil-class submarine

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Jang Yeongsil
Class overview
NameJang Yeongsil class
BuildersHanwha Ocean
Operators Republic of Korea Navy
Preceded byDosan Ahn Changho class
Built2021–present
General characteristics
TypeAttack submarine with ballistic missile launching capabilities
Displacement
  • 3,600 t (3,500 long tons) (surfaced)[1][2]
  • 4,000 t (3,900 long tons) (submerged)
Length89.3 m (293 ft 0 in)[3][4]
Beam9.7 m (31 ft 10 in)

The KSS-III Batch-II (Korean Submarine-III Batch-II; Korean: 한국형 잠수함-III 배치-II; Hanja: 韓國型潛水艦-III 배치-II), officially called Jang Yeongsil class (Korean: 장영실급 잠수함; Hanja: 蔣英實級潛水艦; RR: Jang-yeongsil-geup Jamsuham) is a series of diesel-electric attack and ballistic missile submarines currently being built for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), jointly by Hanwha Ocean.

The KSS-III Batch-II initiative, which involves domestically building three new submarines, each 89 m (292 ft 0 in) long and displacing 3,600 tonnes (3,500 long tons), was implemented from 2016 to 2029 with an investment of approximately KRW 3.41 trillion.[5]

History

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KSS-III is a 3,000-tonne (3,000-long-ton) submarine acquisition program confirmed at the 16th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Meeting in 2007. Batch-I was the Dosan Ahn Changho class, and Jang Yeongsil is the first vessel of Batch-II. The Jang Yeongsil class is a significantly improved successor to Dosan Ahn Changho class. It is equipped with a larger vertical launcher, capable of firing submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), a penetrating periscope, an auxiliary propulsion system, and an independently developed lithium battery system.[6] It is the third submarine in the world to be equipped with lithium-ion batteries, enabling it to remain submerged for up to three weeks without nuclear propulsion.[7]

It was named after Jang Yeongsil, a Silhak scholar who led science and technology in the Joseon Dynasty, with the symbolic meaning of protecting the country with the excellent technology of South Korea's defense industry. Jang Yeongsil is considered the greatest scientist of the Joseon Dynasty who created the armillary sphere and the water clock Borugak Jagyeongnu (혼천의), and he is the first scientist to be included in the name of a submarine.[7]

On October 22, 2025, the Republic of Korea Navy and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration held a launching ceremony for the class, the first ship of the KSS-III Batch-II, at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje Shipyard in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province.[8]

Design

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Graphic image of Jang Yeongsil class

Compared to Batch-I, the Batch-II has a larger overall length and width due to its increased displacement.[citation needed] Batch-I had a total length of 83.5 m (273 ft 11 in) and a displacement of 3,000 tons, but Batch-2 was expanded to 89.4 m (293 ft 4 in) and a displacement of 3,600 t (3,500 long tons), and as a result, the number of vertical launch tubes increased from 6 to 10.[9][10]

This is the first submarine in the ROKN to be equipped with lithium batteries and an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system at the same time, which has extended its submerged time.[11] The Batch-I, which was the first batch, used a propulsion system that combined lead-acid batteries and AIP, but the second batch used a propulsion system that combined lithium-ion batteries and AIP. Lead-acid batteries have low energy density, a short lifespan, and the risk of overheating or explosion, whereas lithium-ion batteries have a high energy density, more than twice that of existing lead-acid batteries, and a short charging time. This has improved underwater operation time and stealth, with a 160% increase in submerged range and 300% increase in submerged time compared to lead-acid batteries, enabling submerged operation for approximately three weeks. The operating range is 7,000 nautical miles (13,000 km; 8,100 mi), the submerged speed is 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph), and the submerged depth is over 400 m (1,300 ft).[10]

Armaments

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The weapon system has also been strengthened compared to the Dosan Ahn Chang-ho class. The vertical launch system (VLS), capable of carrying submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), has been expanded from the original six cells to ten.[10]

The combat and sonar systems have also been enhanced compared to existing vessels, with enhanced information processing, target detection, and land-based target strike capabilities. The vessel is equipped with a curved array sonar developed using domestic technology for submarines. While existing cylindrical array sonar requires the submarine to change course to pinpoint the target, the curved array sonar has three times more detection elements than cylindrical sonar, enabling enhanced detection without the submarine having to change course. Like Batch-1, it features an anechoic coating and dual-elastic mount, and small fins attached to the center cap of the propeller, like wings, reduce noise.[9]

Ships in the class

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Name Pennant Number Builder Laid Down Launched Commissioned Status
ROKS Jang Yeong-sil SS-087[12] Hanwha Ocean 30 March 2023[13] 22 October 2025[14] Scheduled for 2026[12] Launched[14]
TBA[15] Hanwha Ocean 12 July 2024[15] Scheduled for 2028[15] Under construction[15]
TBA[16] Hanwha Ocean 30 Oct 2024[16] Scheduled for 2031[16] Under construction[16]

Operators

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Future operators

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South Korea (3)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "장보고-Ⅲ 배치(Batch)-Ⅱ 2번함 건조 착공". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. 31 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  2. ^ "DSME kicks off construction of new KSS-III submarine for ROK Navy". Navaltodays.com. 31 December 2021.
  3. ^ "장보고-III Batch-II급 잠수함 계약". Defense Acquisition Program Administration. October 2021. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  4. ^ "South Korea Begins Construction on 2nd KSS-III Batch-II Submarine". Navalnews.com. 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ "3600톤급 신형 국산 잠수함 2번함 기공식…2028년 해군 인도". News1. 12 July 2024.
  6. ^ "장보고-Ⅲ 배치-Ⅱ 첫번째 잠수함명은 '장영실함'". Yonhap News. 19 September 2025.
  7. ^ a b "3600t급 해군 잠수함은 왜 '이봉창함'이 아닌 '장영실함'이 됐나". Hankyoreh. 23 October 2025.
  8. ^ "한-캐나다 총리, 한화오션 거제조선소 방문…장영실함 등 시찰". Newsis. 30 October 2025.
  9. ^ a b "'주먹' 키운 3600t급 잠수함 장영실함 띄웠다...국산 기술 집약체". JoongAng Ilbo. 22 October 2025.
  10. ^ a b c "한화오션, '장영실함' 진수…캐나다 60조 수출전 본격화". Newsis. 26 October 2025.
  11. ^ "South Korea Launches Advanced Jang Yeong-sil Submarine With 10 SLBMs". The Chosun Ilbo. 23 October 2025.
  12. ^ a b "DSME kicks off construction of new KSS-III submarine for ROK Navy". navaltoday.com. 31 December 2021.
  13. ^ "South Korea's DSME Lays Keel Of First KSS-III Batch II Submarine". Naval News. 2023-03-30. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  14. ^ a b "Hanwha Ocean Launches First KSS-III Batch-II Submarine". Naval News. 22 October 2025. Archived from the original on 25 October 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  15. ^ a b c d Cha, Eunhyuk (2024-07-13). "Hanwha Ocean Lays Keel of Second KSS-III Batch-II Submarine". Naval News. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d "South Korea begins construction on advanced Jangbogo-III Batch-II submarine for 2031 Navy delivery". Army Recognition. 2024-10-30. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
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  • Media related to Jang Yeongsil class submarines at Wikimedia Commons