The Republic of Korea Navy launched its ninth Son Won-Il-class (Type 214) submarine in a ceremony at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in Ulsan, on September 7.
The submarine was named after ‘Shin Dol-Seok’, a Korean general of the Righteous Armies who fought against the Japanese army in the early 20th century.
Shin Dol-Seok is the final of the second batch of Type 214 submarines and is expected to become operational in 2019 after it completes outfitting and sea trials.
Hyundai Heavy Industries has built South Korea’s first three 214 submarines and subsequent fifth, seventh and ninth submarines of the same class. The other boats were constructed by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
Type 214 submarines are South Korea’s first air-independent propulsion submarines, measure 65 m in length and can sail at a maximum speed of 20 knots with a crew of 40.
With a 1,800-ton displacement capacity, the submarines can dive up to 400 m deep and stay submerged for two weeks. The submarine, equipped with guided missiles, torpedoes and mines, also features an automatic simultaneous target tracking system and a torpedo guidance and detection system.