Hyundai Heavy Industries to build new submarines

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, March 7 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world's largest shipbuilder, was selected to build nine improved versions of Chang Bogo class submarines for the South Korean Navy, the state arms procurement agency said Thursday.

The Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency (DAPA) said it has chosen Hyundai Heavy Industries to build an upgraded version of the 1,200-ton Chang Bogo submarine, in partnership with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

The new version of the diesel-electric attack submarine will weigh 1,400 ton and accommodate 40 crew members, the DAPA said.

Hyundai Industries will sign a deal later this month to deliver nine ships to the South Korean Navy in 2018, it said.

The Chang Bogo class is a South Korean license-built version of the German Type 209-1200 Class. Originally developed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (now part of TKMS), the current version was built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering.

The new project will increase the total number of the Chang Bogo class submarines operating in the nation to 18.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
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