US Ally to Build First Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine Domestically
Seoul says the low-enriched uranium reactor boats will not carry nuclear weapons and are meant to extend underwater endurance and deterrence.
- On Tuesday, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back unveiled Seoul's plan to build a domestic nuclear-powered submarine fleet, dubbed the "Jangbogo-N Project ," targeting deployment in the mid-2030s.
- The project aims to counter North Korea's escalating underwater nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, serving as a pillar of the underwater kill chain to respond to threats before they materialize.
- Following the announcement, shares of major domestic shipbuilders Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries surged nearly 10%, reflecting market confidence in the advanced civilian nuclear and commercial shipbuilding initiative.
- Seoul is coordinating with the United States to secure fuel and establish International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, while reiterating there is no intention to "possess or use" nuclear weapons.
- Experts warn the program faces long-term budgetary pressures and technological hurdles, including non-acoustic sensing advances that could threaten submarine stealth by the 2050s, raising questions about the project's long-term viability.
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South Korea is planning its first nuclear-powered submarine by the middle of the 2030s. Seoul is responding to North Korea's underwater and missile threat.
Can South Korea really afford nuclear submarines?
South Korea’s push for nuclear-powered submarines could transform it from a US security client into an undersea strategic power, while at the same time accruing steep financial, technological and proliferation risks. This month, multiple media outlets reported that South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense unveiled a historic blueprint to build and launch its first domestic […] The post Can South Korea really afford nuclear submarines? appeared…
US ally to build first nuclear-powered attack submarine domestically
South Korea has announced its plan to build a nuclear-powered submarine to counter the growing threats from its rivals in the region. The plan was announced by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea. Korea had reached a shared understanding with the United States to cooperate on the construction of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines in November 2025. The two countries had agreed to closely consult on avenues to s…
Seoul lays out plans to build nuclear sub by mid-2030s to counter North Korea
South Korea has announced plans to build its first nuclear-powered submarine by the mid-2030s, saying the vessel will play “a pivotal role” in countering North Korea’s growing submarine-based nuclear and missile threats. During the inaugural Future Defense Strategy Committee meeting on Tuesday at the southeastern naval hub of Jinhae, Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back unveiled Seoul’s […]
South Korea Plans First Domestically Built Nuclear-Powered Submarine
Image Courtesy: US Navy South Korea has unveiled plans to build its first domestically produced nuclear-powered submarine, signaling a major expansion of the country’s maritime defense ambitions as tensions continue to rise across East Asia. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, aims to strengthen deterrence capabilities against […] The post South Korea Plans First Domestically Built Nuclear-Powe…
The allusion to the international arena recalls the plans revealed last October by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, in which they alluded to the construction of the future nuclear submarine for Seul in the shipyards that the Korean group Hanwha has in Philadelphia (United States State of Pennsylvania).In fact, the Korean Department of Defense has explained that the first visit made a few days ago to the United States by its curr…
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