Jangbogo N Nuclear Submarine Project Skips Feasibility Study, Begins Next Year
The Chosun Ilbo · Kim Ji-hwan(ChosunBiz) ·
Jangbogo N Nuclear Submarine Project Skips Feasibility Study, Begins Next Year Government to supply SMR, armaments for three 8,000-ton submarines to enhance North Korea deterrence
The ‘Jangbogo N’ project, which aims to develop a domestically designed nuclear-powered submarine using South Korean technology, will commence in full scale next year without undergoing a feasibility study that typically takes 1–2 years. The submarine hull design and construction will select a contractor through competitive bidding among domestic shipbuilders, while the government will directly secure and provide the core power source—a small modular reactor (SMR)—and major armaments to the shipbuilder.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 6th that it held the 179th Defense Project Promotion Committee at the Ministry of National Defense and deliberated and approved the ‘Jangbogo N (KSS-III Batch-III) Project Promotion Basic Strategy.’ The Jangbogo N project aims to secure a nuclear-powered submarine through domestic research and development, significantly enhancing stealth capabilities and mobility compared to existing diesel-electric submarines. It is reported that a plan to build three 8,000-ton-class submarines is being pursued.
The key aspect of this decision is the exemption from the feasibility study. Large-scale weapon system development is required to undergo a feasibility study in principle. However, the Ministry of Planning and Budget decided to exclude the study, considering the project’s security-sensitive nature. As a result, the schedule to commence the project next year, launch the lead vessel in the mid-2030s, and operationalize it in the late 2030s is expected to accelerate.
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