South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) has won the initial contract for the Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) programme for the Republic of Korea Navy’s KSS-II submarines.
The agreement struck with the ROK’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) covers the first three boats in the nine-strong Type 214 Sohn Won-il–class and follows the firm’s early delivery of ROKS Yoon Bonggil after its overhaul earlier this year.
According to reports the value of the announced MLU deal is in the region of 500 billion KRW (roughly £270 million). Contracts for other six subs in the class are anticipated in due course.
HD HHI is teaming up with South Korean aerospace manufacturer and arms manufacturer LIG Nex1 to deliver the MLU programme; the firm has previously carried out performance upgrades to the ROKN’s KSS-I Jangbogo-class boats.
An HD HHI social media post in the wake of the announcement read: “With the Republic of Korea Navy transitioning towards greater private-sector involvement in fleet sustainment, this program reinforces HD HHI’s growing role as a trusted partner in the defense MRO sector.
“We look forward to contributing to the Navy’s long-term operational readiness and technological edge.”
The Type 214s are diesel-electric attack submarines featuring an air-independent propulsion (AIP) system. Designed for export by German firm Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW), part of TKMS, they are also operated by the Hellenic Navy, the Portuguese Navy and the Turkish Navy.
They are 65m long, have a crew of 27, and can travel at up to 20 knots submerged. They are armed with torpedoes and are also capable of carrying Harpoon anti-ship missiles fired from torpedo tubes.
The Korean vessels were built by HD HHI and Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering) and were commissioned between 2007 and 2020.
- You can read the HD HHI statement on its social media post