South Korea Aims to Leapfrog in Global Submarine Tech Development

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) hosted the “K-Submarine Global Top-Tier Underwater Core Technology Research and Development Seminar” on April 24 in Changwon city, showcasing new developments aimed at propelling the country to the forefront of global submarine technology.

Held at the Grand Mercure Ambassador Hotel, the seminar brought together around 200 participants, including officials from the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Navy, researchers from Seoul National University and KAIST, defense companies, and representatives from academia and research institutes. The event formed part of the 2025 Korea Submarine Program Division's broader push to advance the next generation of K-submarines.

Key technologies under review included a sonar system capable of 3D target data processing, a 3-axis active mount system designed to reduce submarine detectability by minimizing vibration and noise, and ultra-high strength special steel intended to enhance pressure hull performance and diving depth.

These core areas—sonar, acoustic stealth, and materials—were highlighted as crucial to making South Korea’s submarines more competitive internationally.

Lee Sang-woo, Senior Civil Servant heading DAPA’s Korea Submarine Business Division, said the event served to “share the development status of core underwater technologies among related organizations,” and that insights gained would “help continuously develop core submarine technologies and improve the export competitiveness of K-submarines.”

Political leaders from both major parties acknowledged the strategic importance of the initiative. People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Yong-won stated that core technology R&D would “enhance performance and strengthen export competitiveness,” while Democratic Party lawmaker Boo Seung-chan emphasized that these developments could “take next-generation submarine technology to the next level.”

South Korea has been expanding its naval exports in recent years. In 2011, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) signed a contract with Indonesia for three Improved Jang Bogo-class submarines. This deal was followed by a 2019 agreement worth $1.02 billion to supply additional units to Jakarta. Recently, South Korea has pitched its KSS-III class submarine to navies in Canada, Poland, and the Philippines.

South Korea is competing against established submarine suppliers such as France’s Naval Group, Spain’s Navantia, and Sweden’s Saab for contracts involving conventionally powered submarines.