A pair of South Korean shipyards — often fierce rivals — have teamed up on a $20-billion to $24-billion proposal to promote Canada 12 of the nation’s newest submarines, often known as the KSS-III. The pitch was made in a detailed, unsolicited proposal to the federal government, delivered in early March simply forward of the federal election.
CBC Information was lately granted unique entry to each Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in addition to senior South Korean defence officers.
Canada has requested shipyards worldwide for expressions of curiosity in constructing the nation’s new submarine fleet. Corporations in Germany, Norway and Spain responded along with the South Koreans. Nevertheless, Hanwha Ocean and HHI went a step additional and submitted a extremely detailed proposal that not solely proposed the sale of the KSS-IIIs, however the institution of specialised upkeep services on each coasts.
Listed below are 5 issues to know concerning the KSS-III and the South Korean proposal.
Missile, torpedo capabilities
The KS-III is a diesel-electric assault submarine, able to firing torpedoes and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM). It displaces about 3,600 tonnes. The South Korean Navy is planning to construct 9 of the boats in three batches. A complete of three submarines have been launched and two have entered service. They’ve an estimated velocity of about 12 knots on the floor and 20 knots whereas submerged, with a cruising vary of 19,000 kilometres. CBC Information noticed the primary two of the second batch of KSS-IIIs below building on the Hanwha Ocean yard.
Lithium-ion battery powered
Fairly than counting on conventional lead-acid batteries, the KS-III attracts its energy from lithium-ion batteries, which have been developed by Samsung SDI. Hanwha Ocean officers in a background briefing declare the brand new batteries enable for larger cruising velocity and longer submerged instances. The corporate claims the boat can stay underwater for greater than 21 days, which might be important for Canada within the Arctic. Korea is barely the second nation on the planet to energy its subs with lithium-ion batteries. Japan was the primary.
Techniques developed exterior U.S.
Hanwha Ocean officers say the combat-management system that controls the KS-III is all-Korean-designed — a key level given current considerations expressed that the command-and-control system chosen for Canada’s new frigates is made in the US. They are saying Canada, ought to it buy the submarine, would have a alternative of integrating its personal system, a foreign-purchased one or the prevailing Korean system. It may additionally buy Korean-made torpedoes and missiles, relatively than depend on United States or European weapons.
As Ottawa rethinks U.S. weapons contracts, South Korean arms producers need to resupply Canada’s depleted navy with all the things from howitzers to submarines. CBC’s Murray Brewster acquired unique entry to 1 firm angling to grow to be Canada’s new excessive tech arsenal.
Extremely automated
Every of the KS-IIIs incorporate a excessive diploma of automation and would function with a normal crew dimension of 33 sailors. Though, there’s room to embark as many as 50 crew members. There are three decks, which Hanwha Ocean officers emphasised would enable for blended gender crews. The proposal submitted to Ottawa features a detailed crew coaching plan that will see Canadian sailors given fundamental and tactical coaching in Korea whereas the boats are being constructed. The plan could be for a Canadian crew to sail the boat and be able to conduct operations nearly instantly.
Supply forward of navy deadline
The Royal Canadian Navy has set 2035 because the deadline for supply of its first new submarine to interchange the previous Victoria class. Hanwha Ocean officers mentioned Canada may have 4 submarines by that point, with the primary one delivered between 2030 and 2032. The remaining would comply with each couple of years at intervals set by the Canadian authorities. The schedule is offered a contract is signed subsequent yr. The proposal additionally consists of the notion of establishing one or two upkeep services in Canada — maybe one on every coast. However that will be a choice of the Canadian authorities and the associated fee could be along with the $20-billion to $24-billion preliminary buy of the boats. Hanwha Ocean officers mentioned the deliveries could be on time and on funds with no surprises.
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