KSS-III Batch-II Submarine

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).

 

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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