|
Korea has expanded a plan to build three 1,800-ton level 214 submarines starting in 2012 by another six in a bid to double the country's fleet by 2020, the armed forces said Wednesday. Observers pricked up their ears at the choice of submarines over Aegis vessels as a key strategic weapon to counter any threat posed by powerful nations like China and Japan in the event of reunification with North Korea.
According to a statement from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Wednesday and other sources, the Navy and Joint Chiefs of Staff decided to launch three German-made 214-grade submarines by 2010 in the first phase, and start building six more subs starting in 2012, in addition to the nine Korea already has, a decision that reflects their fresh assessment of what will be needed in the mid- to long term. A source confirmed that the total number of submarines is to be upped to around 18.
On top of the 214-level subs, it has also recently become clear that the administration and Navy plan to acquire three stronger and bigger 3,000-ton submarines estimated to cost W3.7 trillion between 2010 and 2022. Currently, the Navy has nine German-made Chanbogo class subs (Type 209) and three Dolphin class subs. When the Chanbogo class subs introduced in the 1990s are retired, they will be gradually replaced with the next-generation subs to maintain the total at 18.
The 214 class submarines with a 65 m hull and 1,800-ton displacement outstrip the Chanbogo subs, the Navy¡¯s current core subs, in scale and performance. Thus they are capable of two weeks¡¯ continuous operation at sea and are armed with up to 20 torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and mines. When equipped with ship-to-ground cruise missiles, they are capable of attacking strategic targets in both North Korea and neighboring countries.
Japan has 16 state-of-the-art submarines including eight 3,000-ton Oyashio class submarines, while China has a fleet of 60 including Han class offensive nuclear-powered submarines. The U.S. has as its mainstay 7,000-ton Los Angeles class submarines propelled by nuclear power, and North Korea has 22 1,700-ton Romio class subs.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
