KSS-III Batch-II Submarine

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About KSS-III Batch-II Submarine:

The KSS-III, the largest submarine to ever be built by South Korea, is being developed in two phases, Batch-I and Batch-II.
It is a series of diesel-electric attack submarines.
KSS-III Batch-II is an advanced version of its predecessor in terms of combat management systems, firepower, and sonar capabilities.
It is jointly developed by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).
Features:
- The submarine will be 89 metres long, 9.6 metres wide, and have a displacement of around 3,600 tonnes.
- The Batch-II series will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries, which will reportedly make it capable of cruising at higher speeds with a greater period of underwater endurance, life expectancy, and durability.
- Additionally, the submarines will be equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology that will allow them to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen.
- It will also be capable of carrying a crew of 50 members.
- It can fire missiles such as Hyunmoo-4-4 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).
- The submarines can attain a maximum operating speed of approximately 20knots and cruising range of 10,000 nmi.
- The navigation aids on board the submarine include an inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS).

Q1) What is Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology?

Air Independent Propulsion or Air Independent Power is any marine propulsion technology that allows non-nuclear submarines to operate without access to atmospheric oxygen. An AIP can augment or replace the diesel-electric propulsion system of non-nuclear vessels.

Source: South Korea offers KSS-III batch-II submarine to India: Check features and how it will strengthen the Indian Navy