HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Demonstrates Submarine Technology with Jang Bogo-II Contract

[Financial News] HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has been recognized for its accumulated expertise in the submarine sector by winning a contract for the development of a submarine performance upgrade system.
On the 30th, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced it had signed a contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for a 468.9 billion KRW project to develop performance upgrade systems for three Jang Bogo-II (Type 214) submarines. Out of the nine Jang Bogo-II submarines that have been in service for over ten years, three will undergo upgrades. Key equipment such as the combat system, towed array sonar (installed at the stern to minimize the impact of the submarine's own noise), mine avoidance sonar (used to detect and evade mines), and buoyant antenna (enabling communication while submerged without surfacing) will be replaced with the latest models.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries plans to complete the upgrades by 2033 in collaboration with LIG Nex1, which previously performed upgrades on Jang Bogo-I (Type 209) submarines.
The Type 214 submarine (1,800-ton class) has been the mainstay of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) since its sequential deployment from 2007 to 2020. HD Hyundai Heavy Industries built six out of the nine Type 214 submarines, including the lead ship ROKS Son Won-il, which was the first Type 214 submarine equipped with an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system outside of Germany. The AIP system allows the submarine to operate underwater for up to two weeks without surfacing to supply air for engine operation.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is pursuing a merger with HD Hyundai Mipo. Through this integration, the company aims to further strengthen its capabilities in the special ship sector and significantly enhance its competitiveness in the naval shipbuilding business.
Joo Won-ho, head of the Naval and Medium Ship Business Division at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated, "Winning this submarine performance upgrade system project is significant as it recognizes HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ accumulated know-how and competitiveness in the submarine sector. We will upgrade the Jang Bogo-II (Type 214) submarines to the advanced KSS-III submarine level, further solidifying their status as a core asset for Korea’s maritime security."
Last June, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries delivered the overhauled Jang Bogo-II submarine ROKS Yun Bong-gil 35 days ahead of schedule, after starting the overhaul in January last year. The company is also leading the naval maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector, including the regular maintenance of the 41,000-ton supply ship USNS Alan Shepard of the United States Seventh Fleet (Seventh Fleet), which began last month.
ggg@fnnews.com Kang Gu-gwi Reporter