[Courtesy of the Navy]
The decision came at a Navy policy meeting on July 28. It is the first time in 31 years that a female soldier will be deployed to a submarine since South Korea's first 1,200-ton sub was commissioned in 1993.
Previously, submarines of less than 3,000 tons could not separately install female accommodation and toilets. South Korea will become the 14th country in the world to open submarines to female soldiers. The Navy would increase the introduction of female soldiers to resolve the shortage of ship personnel.
The first 3,000-ton diesel-electric submarine named "Dosan Ahn Chang-ho" carrying vertical launchers for ballistic missiles was deployed for combat missions in August 2021. The submarine featuring advanced noise reduction technologies can operate underwater for 20 days without surfacing by using an air-independent propulsion system. It is 83.5 meters long and 9.6 meters wide.
South Korea has a three-stage project called KSS (Jangbogo) to develop a fleet of submarines. Through the first phase, nine 1,200-ton diesel-electric submarines have been built. The second phase called for the construction of six 1,800-ton vessels. Through the third phase, submarines of 3,000 tons or more are to be built.
Construction of the first 3,600-ton submarine began in August 2021. It will be installed with lithium-ion batteries. The 3,600-ton submarine armed with guided missiles and sea mines can sail at a maximum speed of 37 km per hour with 50 crew members on board. It is 89 meters long and 9.6 meters wide. The first 3,600-ton submarine is set to be deployed for naval missions in 2027 and the second one a year later.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
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