south korean subYou can’t blame South Korea for wanting to have their own submarine fleet. What with North Korea, China and Japan all skulking about who can blame ‘em? It’s just with all the Russian, Chinese, German and US subs available to patrol a rather smallish area who knows what kind of misunderstanding could happen?

Well – here’s the deets – South Korea unveiled its newest attack submarine, the second 1,800-ton vessel in its submarine fleet. The diesel-powered submarine, developed in partnership with Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG, is named Jeongji after a Korean military officer of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) who led Korean forces in a series of victories against the Japanese navy.

“Jeongji’s launch is another feat showing our will to maintain self-reliant defense and strengthen military capability,” Defense Minister Kim Jang-soo said in his congratulatory speech during a ceremony held at a shipyard of Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, about 400 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

Also on hand were more than 200 senior naval officials, including Navy Chief of Staff Song Young-moo, and industry officials. Kim added that the world’s top-level shipbuilding ability of South Korea will serve as the basis for the country’s modernized navy and make a great contribution to the development of its defense capability. The 65.3-meter-long, 6.3-meter-wide vessel can carry a crew of more than 40 and is equipped with torpedoes, mines, anti-warship guided missiles and the Air Independent Propulsion system, which is aimed at enhancing underwater operational capability.

Naval officials said the testing on Jeongji will continue until it is commissioned late next year. The South Korean Navy’s only other 1,800-ton submarine was launched last June. South Korea owns several rather outdated 1,300-ton diesel-electric submarines, also made by the German company.

The country plans to launch its third 1,800-ton submarine next year and also aims to develop nine 3,000-ton submarines from 2010 to 2021 with its own technology. The navy has yet to decide on their fuel system.

ULSAN, South Korea, June 13 (Yonhap News)

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South Korea Wednesday launched its newest attack submarine, amid tensions with North Korea over their disputed sea border. The 1,800-ton diesel-electric submarine, the second of its size in the fleet, was launched at a Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard in the southeastern city of Ulsan. The submarine is named “Jeongji” after a Korean military officer of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) who won victories against the Japanese. It will be commissioned late next year.

“Jeongji’s launch is another feat showing our will to maintain self-reliant defence and strengthen military capability,” said Defence Minister Kim Jang-Soo. South Korea is planning a blue-water fleet to keep pace with regional naval build-ups. Last month it launched its first Aegis destroyer, a warship equipped with advanced air and sea weaponry and built at a cost of one billion dollars.

The 65.3-metre (215-foot) Jeongji, developed in partnership with Germany’s Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, can carry more than 40 crew.It is equipped with torpedoes, mines, anti-warship guided missiles and the Air Independent Propulsion system to enhance underwater operational capability.

South Korea also has several older diesel-electric submarines, made by the German firm.It plans to launch its third 1,800-ton submarine next year and aims to develop nine 3,000-ton submarines from 2010 to 2021 with its own technology.