ROK's DAPA has announced the keel laying ceremony for the second KSS-III Batch-II SLBM-capable submarine, a significant step in bolstering the nation's defence capabilities and ensuring strategic security. Following the keel laying of the first submarine in the batch, as reported by Naval News, the second submarine was laid four months later.
Compared to KSS-III Batch-I, the new batch's components have a higher localisation rate and, more importantly, more VLS cells (ten versus six) for Hyunmoo 4-4 SLBMs with a range of 500 km to launch strategic attacks. The 3600-tonne submarine possesses an AIP propulsion system with Li-Ion batteries providing greater range and underwater speed than the Batch-I submarines.
While the submarines are being built for the ROKN, KSS-III Batch-II was proposed to several countries, including Saudi Arabia, during World Defense Show 2024, according to EDR Magazine.
In addition to KSS-III Batch-II, ROK invests in new destroyers like KDX-III Batch-II and the lighter KDDX. While the former is a continuation of Sejong the Great Destroyers, it similarly has a greater percentage of local components regarding weaponry. However, KDDX will be a design from scratch, focusing more on indigenous components and automation.
