South Korea plans to build its own nuclear submarines
South Korea has launched a large-scale program to build its own nuclear-powered attack submarines using low-enriched uranium. The first such vessel is scheduled to be launched as early as the mid-2030s.
This was announced by the country’s Defense Minister Ahn Kyu-bak, according to Yonhap News.
“We will work toward launching the first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s and continue development so that it enters service in the second half of the 2030s or later,” said the defense minister.
The project is named Jang Bogo N and involves the development of nuclear submarines in South Korea, their construction at domestic shipyards, and their commissioning in the late 2030s.
According to the minister, the new submarines are intended to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities in the face of threats from North Korea.
“Nuclear submarines are expected to play a key role in countering North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats thanks to their ability to remain submerged for extended periods and their high mobility,” Ahn Kyu-bak emphasized.
The South Korean Ministry of Defense explained that the letter “N” in the project’s name symbolizes “next generation,” “nuclear energy,” and “new technologies.”
The submarines are planned to use low-enriched uranium with an enrichment level of up to 20%.
At the same time, Seoul is officially prohibited from using nuclear materials for military purposes under a bilateral agreement with the U.S. on nuclear energy.
However, last October, Washington agreed to support the South Korean program and effectively gave the “green light” for the construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines equipped with conventional weapons.
The U.S. also pledged to cooperate with Seoul on the project, particularly regarding the supply of nuclear fuel and technical support for the program.
As a reminder, the Chinese Navy is undergoing a large-scale strategic transition from diesel-electric to nuclear submarines.
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