The Republic of Korea has officially launched Jang Yeong-sil, its first Changbogo-III Batch-II class submarine. The ceremony took place at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in the city of Geoje.
This is the lead vessel of the second series of domestically built diesel-electric submarines, designed to enhance the country’s underwater deterrence capabilities, Defense Blog reports, citing the ROK Navy.
The Jang Yeong-sil has a displacement of 3,600 tons and a length of 89 meters. It will become a key strategic asset for countering a wide range of maritime threats and represents the next step in modernizing South Korea’s submarine forces.
The submarine is named after Chang Yŏngsil, a prominent engineer and inventor of the Joseon Dynasty era.
It is equipped with modern weapons and electronic systems, capable of conducting autonomous missions both in coastal waters and beyond.
By 2027, the Jang Yeong-sil will undergo testing and crew certification, after which it will be officially commissioned into the fleet.
Batch-II differs from previous versions with improved sensors, greater endurance, and reduced detectability.
