Sang-O (class)

History

The Sang-O-class attack submarines are the largest underwater component of the modern North Korean navy, with at least 40 believed to have been built. The first example was presented in 1991 and many are still in service today (2016).

The submarine group provides basic attack, reconnaissance and minelaying capabilities, but lacks inherent missile launch capabilities, and is a diesel-electric boat approved to operate off the coast of North Korea (rather than in deep water).

A typical Sang-O crew of only 15 men reflects their very modest, compact size, which includes a 34m barrel length and 3.8m beam. The surface displacement is 275 tons and the underwater displacement is 370 tons. The range is up to 1,500 nautical miles and the test depth is up to 150 meters. Reported speed figures include a surface speed of 7.5 knots and a submerged speed of 9 knots - which doesn't make the Sang-O particularly fast in any way.

Most of the Sang-O group is equipped with typical radar and sonar installations to provide basic underwater naval capabilities. Standard armament is a pair of simple bow-launched 533mm torpedo tubes, firing Russian-made 53-65KE torpedoes.

The overall design of the Sang-O is typical of a compact attack submarine - with a rounded bow, mid-set sails and a tapered stern section. Dive planes are mounted forward and low on the bow.

It is widely believed that despite the size of the North Korean Navys submarine force (on paper only surpassed by the United States), its submarine fleet far exceeds the number of more modern submarine fleets worldwide. However, this force still has some tactical and strategic value as it can be deployed under pressure as a harassment and deterrent measure while posing a real threat (commercial and military) to South Korean surface ships.

There is also an upgraded version of the Sang-O-class known as the "Sang-O II" (aka "K-300"), the existence of which was first reported in 2011. These boats are slightly larger and have a larger displacement, which helps increase the operating range and provides more interior space for shops and special mission equipment.

Its propulsion system is not entirely known, as it may have been inherited from an earlier Sang-O design or an entirely new local effort.

The Sang-O is the largest group of locally built submarines available to the North Korean Navy. On September 18, 1996, the South Korean navy ran aground near Gangneung while conducting espionage. The ship landed three special forces and ran aground during the evacuation phase of the mission. Twelve South Koreans were killed and twenty-four North Koreans were killed in the ensuing buildup of enemy forces (who abandoned their submarines).

One was captured alive with an abandoned submarine.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Wing