Sang-O-class submarine

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Sang-O class

Submarine involved in the 1996 incident
Class overview
Builders	Bong Dao Bo Shipyards, Singpo[3]
Operators	North Korea
Preceded by	Yugo class
Succeeded by	Sinpo class
Subclasses	attack version, infiltration/reconnaissance version
In commission	1991
Completed	41+
Active	40 (February 2021)[1][2]
Lost	1 captured by South Korea
General characteristics (Sang-O I armed version)
Type	coastal submarine
Displacement	275 tons (surfaced), 370 tons (submerged)
Length	34m
Beam	3.8m
Propulsion	Diesel-electric: 1 small diesel, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft
Speed	7.5 knots (13.9 km/h) surfaced 7 knots (13 km/h) snorkeling 9 knots (17 km/h) submerged
Range	1,500 nautical miles (2,800 km)
Test depth	150 metres, capable of bottoming
Capacity	0 (10/11 in recce version)
Complement	15 crew
Sensors and processing systems	Radar civilian Furuno I-band radar Passive RWR/ESM/SIGINT Sonar
Armament	Four 533mm torpedo tubes fitted with Russian 53-65KE torpedoes Capable of minelaying
Notes	Fitted with a snorkel

The Sang-O (Shark) class submarine^[4] (Hangul: 상어급 잠수함) are in use by North Korea, and are the country's second largest indigenously-built submarines.

As of February 2021, it's reported that North Korea maintains 40 Sang-O-class submarines.^[2]

History[]

The Sang-O class was first constructed in 1991 at Sinpo.^[4] A single unit was captured by the Republic of Korea Navy (South Korea) after it ran aground on 18 September 1996 in the 1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident.^[3]

The submarine seized after 1996 was seen at the Unification Park, which was opened on September 26, 2001.^[4]

Design[]

A Sang-O-class submarine captured by South Korea on display at Tongil (Unification) Park near Gangneung in 2012.

The Sang-O-class was reported to be larger than a midget submarine, but smaller than the Romeo and Whiskey-class submarines.^[5] They're usually equipped with four 533mm torpedo tubes and 16 mines, but some are unarmed and are used to carry North Korean commandos.^[6]

New Class[]

It was widely reported^[7] in March 2011 that a new version of the Sang-O class had been deployed in North Korea. Satellite imagery from 2005 suggests the Sang-O II / K-300 may have been produced at the Mayang-do naval base and fitted out at the dry docks located at 39.9978 N, and 128.20019 E.^[8]

Other footage of the nearby docks of Sinp'o appear to depict the Sang-O II / K-300 as early as 2004 (at 40 01'31.20"N 128 09'55.80"E). Subsequent satellite imagery shows the Sang-O II / K-300 deployed to the Ch’aho-rodongjagu submarine Navy Base at 40.205441 N 128.649524 E on North Korea's east coast.^[8]

According to the KPA Journal,^[1] the decision to develop a larger, improved version of the Sang-O came in the late 1990s or early 2000. The Sang-O II / K-300 is a stretched version of the original Sang-O class with an approximate length of 39 to 40 metres and a corresponding surface displacement of approximately 300 to 340 tons.

The increased length and internal volume would suggest an increase in the operational range of the submarine and troop/equipment carrying capabilities. Top speed is also reported to be higher in the new model, meaning an improved propulsion system is possibly housed in some of the extra length.

References[]

Bibliography[]

• Miller, David, ed. (2003). Illustrated Directory of Special Forces. St. Paul, Minnesota: Salamander Books. ISBN 978-0760314197.

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