Hanwha Ocean Succeeds in Localizing Horizontal Launch System—Could This Usher in a Golden Age for Submarines?

[Financial News] Hanwha Ocean has succeeded in localizing the horizontal launch system, a key piece of submarine equipment. The achievement is seen as laying the groundwork not only for the South Korean military’s adoption of next-generation submarines but also for overseas exports.
Hanwha Ocean said on the 1st that it had successfully developed a submarine horizontal launch system after 10 years of collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The achievement is significant because it localizes a key piece of equipment that had long depended on imports. It is expected to immediately reduce submarine construction costs and shorten delivery times.
A horizontal launch system pushes torpedoes—underwater explosive weapons carried inside a submarine—out into the sea. Hanwha Ocean has adopted a water-ram system that uses water pressure to push out torpedoes, much like a syringe. The key challenge is to precisely regulate the water pressure to prevent malfunctions. Hanwha Ocean says it addressed this with multiple safety mechanisms and a design that improves durability.
Hanwha Ocean said it also developed the capability to analyze launch forces during the development of the horizontal launch system. This means it can design equipment to suit different types of submarines, and the company expects this to accelerate the development of other submarine equipment in the future.
Kim Geon-ho, an executive and head of Hanwha Ocean’s Defense Technology Research Center, said, “We will enhance the quality of core submarine equipment based on the technology and experience accumulated through this development.” He added, “We will also continue to advance the technologies needed for next-generation submarines and contribute to strengthening the Republic of Korea Navy’s capabilities.”
Hanwha Ocean has built a track record by constructing several submarines in South Korea and abroad, and has set up a dedicated organization to enter the project to acquire nuclear-powered submarines. In terms of exports, it is bidding for contracts in the Philippines, Chile and elsewhere. In the United States, Hanwha Defense USA, Inc. could acquire Austal USA and take part in producing modules for nuclear submarines, while also potentially winning conventional submarine contracts over the longer term.
There is hope that continued advances in core-equipment technology, beginning with the development of the horizontal launch system, could help the company emerge as a global leader in the submarine market.

[email protected] Kim Yun-ho Reporter