Politics · South Korea · 11 hrs ago
South Korea approves plan for nuclear-powered submarine program
South Korea’s defense procurement committee approved the basic plan for the Jang Bogo N submarine program on Friday.
The project will develop and build attack submarines powered by nuclear reactors but armed with conventional weapons.
Seoul announced the program in May, and it has been exempted from a preliminary feasibility study to speed up preparations.
The government plans to choose a manufacturer through open bidding in the first half of 2027 and sign a contract by the end of that year.
South Korea has secured U.S. consent to use fuel enriched to below 20 percent, and plans to procure small modular reactors for the submarines.
The vessels are intended to strengthen deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile threats and support South Korea’s underwater strike capabilities.
The first submarine is expected to launch in the mid-2030s and enter service after the late 2030s, while the program’s total budget remains undecided.
South Korea’s arms procurement committee approved the basic plan for the Jang Bogo N nuclear-powered submarine program on Nov. 6.
The program is intended to develop and build domestically made, nuclear-propelled, conventionally armed attack submarines.
The project is scheduled to formally launch in 2027, with the first submarine expected to be launched in the mid-2030s and fielded after the late 2030s.
South Korea has secured U.S. consent to use highly enriched, low-enriched uranium below 20 percent for the submarines’ propulsion.
The program’s total budget has not been finalized.
- Who
- South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration and arms procurement committee.
- What
- The committee approved the basic plan for the Jang Bogo N nuclear-powered submarine program.
- When
- Nov. 6, 2026. The program is scheduled to formally launch in 2027.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The program is intended to strengthen deterrence against North Korean nuclear and missile threats and expand underwater capabilities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
South Korea unveiled the Jang Bogo N project.
The project was exempted from the preliminary feasibility study usually required for arms acquisitions.
The arms procurement committee approved the program’s basic plan.
DAPA plans to select a submarine manufacturer through open bidding.
DAPA plans to sign a formal contract.
The first submarine is expected to be launched.
- Program
- Jang Bogo N, also called KSS-Ⅲ Batch-Ⅲ
- Approval
- Basic plan passed on Nov. 6, 2026
- Formal launch
- 2027
- Uranium
- Highly enriched, low-enriched uranium enriched to below 20 percent
- First vessel
- Expected to be launched in the mid-2030s
- Budget
- Not finalized
4 sources
What people are saying
The nuclear-powered submarines secured through this project will contribute to strengthening deterrence against security threats such as North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles, and to strengthening independent defense capabilities, including implementing an underwater Kill Chain.