South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the construction of the 3,000-ton class submarine.
As disclosed, the submarine will be built at the Okpo Shipyard and delivered to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy by the end of 2028. The contract is worth KRW 985.7 billion ($845 million).
The new submarine uses a lithium-ion battery instead of a lead acid battery to make it stay under the water for a longer time than previous models. It will also be easier to fix and maintain, according to DSME.
“In addition to the successful delivery of the second ship of the KSS-III Batch-II project, we have thoroughly prepared the project to build a surface ship scheduled to be ordered this year and the basic design project for a Korean light aircraft carrier next year. We will contribute to the protection of maritime sovereignty,” DSME, Executive Vice President and Head of Special Ships Division Yu Jun-jun said.
In November 2020, DSME launched the Republic of Korea Navy’s second 3000-ton KSS-III submarine.