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Fri, February 3, 2023 | 10:02
Defense
Navy to launch submarine command
잠수함사령부 내달 1일 창설…잠수함 18척 운용
Posted : 2015-01-11 17:50
Updated : 2015-01-11 19:32
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By Yi Whan-woo

The Navy will inaugurate its first submarine command early next month in Jinhae, South Gyeongsang Province, the Ministry of National Defense said Sunday.

The command's fleet will be composed of under 2,000-ton submarines to begin with, but will be expanded to vessels displacing 3,000 tons.

"Feb. 2 is the date for the launch," ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said, refusing to give other details.

The inauguration of the command comes at a time when North Korea maintains a significant numerical superiority with its fleet of 70 subs, about 20 of them being of the 1,800-ton Romeo class. Recent reports have said the North is putting finish touches on an upgraded version of the Soviet-designed Romeo that it has converted into being vertical missile launch capable.

The Navy currently operates nine 1,200-ton submarines and four 1,800-ton ones under its Ninth Submarine Flotilla in the port city of Jinhae.

The fleet, led by a rear-admiral (lower half), is one of the Navy units. They include three commands that are led by rear-admirals (upper half).

According to Navy sources, the submarine command will acquire five additional 1,800-ton submarines by 2018, increasing the military's total number of submarines from the current 13 to 18.

"A conventional submarine can remain underwater without recharging for longer if its weight is heavier," a Navy source said. "A 1,200-ton submarine can operate for three consecutive days while a 1,800-ton one can travel for about 15 days."

A rear-admiral (upper half) will also lead the newly-established unit, according to the source.

The defense military's announcement was made in accordance with the Defense Reform Plan (DRP) initiated in 2005.

The DRP seeks to enhance the Armed Forces' war capabilities, while enhancing its security alliance with the U.S. military by 2020 to deter North Korea's provocations.

The announcement also came amid growing the importance of strengthening Seoul's anti-submarine capabilities in the wake of North Korea's deadly torpedo attack on the Navy frigate Cheonan in March 2010 that killed 46 South Korean sailors. A multinational investigation concluded the North was the perpetrator, although it has denied it.

Under the submarine command, the Navy plans to put six 3,000-ton ballistic missile submarines into operation starting 2020.

The total number of the submarines, however, will be kept at 18 because six 1,200-ton ones will be scrapped by then, according to the Navy source.

A military expert turned down speculation that the submarine command could add fuel to ongoing controversy over a military arms race in Northeast Asia.

"Our neighboring countries, including the U.S., China and Japan, are familiar with DRP and they have not been against it," said Shin In-kyun, the president of the Korea Defense Network. "Moreover, the number of our submarines by 2020 will be still less than those owned by our neighbors."

He cited that North Korea and China operate some 70 submarines each, while Japan has 22.

Among Pyongyang's submarines, 20 of them displace 1,800 tons; 40 others, 325 tons; and the rest, 130 tons, according to Shin.

The Stalinist state is said to be building a 2,500-ton sub, which will be capable of carrying nuclear ballistic missiles, he said.

"By setting up a submarine command, we'll be able to lay the groundwork for military deterrence underwater," Shin said.

In December last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stressed "maneuvering skills of submarines" to enhance the combat capability of Pyongyang's naval forces.

In August 2014, U.S. intelligence agencies speculated that the nuclear-armed regime has developed submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). They pointed out that Pyongyang secretly acquired several SS-N-6s, a type of SLBM, from Russia some time ago.


잠수함사령부 내달 1일 창설…잠수함 18척 운용

해군의 수중 전력을 총지휘하는 잠수함사령부가 다음 달 1일 창설된다.  

군의 한 관계자는 11일 '해군 제9잠수함전단을 확대 개편한 잠수함사령부가 2월 1일부로 창설된다'며 '경남 진해 소재 잠수함사령부는 수상 전력(함정) 위주인 1·2·3함대사령부와 동급으로 해군 소장이 지휘한다'고 밝혔다.

초대 잠수함사령관으로는 윤정상 잠수함사령부 창설준비단장(소장)이 내정됐다. 기존 제9잠수함전단의 지휘관(전단장)은 해군 준장이었다.

잠수함사령부는 제9잠수함전단 건물을 사용하다가 올해 12월 사령부 건물이 완공되면 새 시설로 이전한다.  

현재 해군은 209급(1천200t급) 9척과 214급(1천800t) 4척 등 13척의 잠수함을 보유하고 있다.  

2018년까지 214급 잠수함이 9척으로 늘어나면 잠수함사령부는 18척의 잠수함을 운용하게 된다.  

해군은 또 2020년대에 수직발사대에서 탄도미사일을 발사할 수 있는 3천t급 잠수함 9척을 건조할 계획이다.  

1990년대 초부터 도입되기 시작한 209급 잠수함은 3천t급 잠수함이 실전배치되는 2020년대에 순차적으로 도태될 예정이다. 잠수함의 수명주기는 약 30년이다.

해군 관계자는 '3천t급 잠수함이 전력화하더라도 수명주기가 도래한 209급 잠수함이 도태되기 때문에 잠수함사령부에 배치된 잠수함은 18척을 유지하게 될 것'이라고 말했다. 

북한은 70여척의 잠수함(정)을 보유하고 있어 양적으로 우리 해군을 압도하고 있다. 

북한은 로미오급(1천800t급) 잠수함 20여척, 상어급(325t급) 잠수함 40여척, 연어급(130t) 잠수정 10여척을 보유한 것으로 알려졌다.

북한은 탄도미사일을 탑재할 수 있는 신형 잠수함(2천500t급 추정)도 건조 중인 것으로 전해졌다. (연합뉴스)
Emailyistory@ktimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
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