Hanwha Ocean showcases Jangbogo-III submarine in Warsaw

South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean Co. held the Hanwha Ocean Day event in Warsaw, Poland, on November 29 for local media, to showcase its involvement in the Polish Navy's submarine modernization project, the ORKA Project.

The event attracted around 30 major Polish media outlets, all expressing keen interest in Hanwha Ocean's Jangbogo-III (KSS-III) submarine. This 3,000-ton class vessel is the latest and most advanced in South Korea's Jangbogo series of submarines.

The ORKA Project, a major initiative of the Polish government, is set to modernize the Polish Navy's submarine fleet. The project, expected to be a multi-billion dollar venture, aims to add 2-3 new submarines to the Polish Navy's arsenal.

Attendees showed particular interest in the submarine's advanced features, such as its air-independent propulsion (AIP) system and lithium-ion batteries, which place it among the top in terms of submersion capabilities globally.

Furthermore, the Jangbogo-III is outfitted with a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) system and other state-of-the-art deterrent technologies.

In addition to presenting the Jangbogo-III, Hanwha Ocean announced its commitment to enhance the Polish Navy's submarine maintenance capabilities with its Technical and Operational Maintenance System (TOMS).

Developed in-house, TOMS is designed to ensure optimal performance maintenance throughout the submarine's lifecycle, manage necessary repairs and obsolete parts, and facilitate real-time support for submarine maintenance.

Underlining the importance of the ORKA project in Poland's naval modernization efforts, the Polish government is expected to conduct a tender for these new submarines within the current year, further advancing its defense capabilities.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com