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Son Won II – class Type 214 - Image: From the net
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By Jun Ji-hye
South Korea may develop its own nuclear-powered
submarines while purchasing U.S. nuclear submarines to better deal with North
Korean submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) threats.
President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump
have agreed to begin consultations on South Korea's acquisition and development
of cutting-edge weapons that would include nuclear-powered submarines and
surveillance assets.
The two heads of state reached the agreement during their
summit in Seoul, Tuesday.
After the summit, a Cheong Wa Dae official said on
condition of anonymity, "We may purchase the weapons or co-develop them
with the U.S. ," adding there were various details to review including
technical aspects and international norms.
Military sources here said the most realistic measure
would be to purchase two to three U.S. nuclear-powered submarines first amid
the North's mounting SLBM threat, as the development and construction of such a
submarine would take at least five years.
Pyongyang has been reportedly stepping up efforts to
build newer, bigger submarines equipped with vertical missile launch tubes to
fire SLBMs from underwater.
Sources said South Korean sailors would be able to learn
skills and knowhow while operating the U.S. -made nuclear subs before the
nation completes development and construction of its own subs.
"Generally speaking, six to nine nuclear-powered
submarines would be necessary to properly operate in the East, South and West
Seas," a source said, asking not to be named.
During his presidential campaign, President Moon vowed to
develop home-grown nuclear-powered submarines, pledging to make efforts to gain
support from the U.S. , which virtually controls the uranium enrichment and
nuclear fuel reprocessing of South Korea.
Calls for developing the nuclear subs were ignited after
the North successfully launched an SLBM in April last year. Another SLBM fired
in August that year flew about 500 kilometers, indicating a significant
improvement compared to previous tests.
Supporters for having nuclear subs say they are the only
way to counter the North's SLBM threat, saying they could strike an enemy
submarine before it launches a missile. A nuclear-powered sub can operate
underwater indefinitely as long as other conditions such as food supplies are
met, making it difficult for the enemy to detect.
The Republic of Korea Navy currently operates Type 209
attack submarines, propelled by diesel-electric transmissions, and the Type 214
that uses air-independent propulsion.
The Type 209 is capable of remaining underwater for only
about two to three consecutive days as it needs to surface frequently to access
air, while the Type 214, an improved version of the Type 209, is capable of
continuing underwater operations for a maximum 13 to 14 days.
Skeptics, however, say Washington has never sold its
nuclear subs to a foreign country as it protects the relevant technologies.
Regarding the issue, Moon Sang-gyun, spokesman of the
Ministry of National Defense, said, "The two allies will carry out
consultations to give shape to the agreement between the heads of state of the
two nations."
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