ROKS Ahn Mu

ROKS Ahn Mu (SS-085) is the second ship of Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarines of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).

ROKS Ahn Mu
History
South Korea
Name	Ahn Mu (안무)
Namesake	Ahn Mu
Builder	Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, Geoje
Laid down	17 April 2018
Launched	10 November 2020
Commissioned	20 April 2023
Identification	Pennant number: SS-085
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarine
Displacement	3,358 tons surfaced 3,750 tons submerged
Length	83.5 m (273 ft 11 in)
Beam	9.6 m (31 ft 6 in)
Draught	7.62 m (25 ft 0 in)
Propulsion	Diesel-electric, low noise skew back propeller 4 x Bumhan Industry PH1 PEM fuel cell each with 150 kW
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) submerged
Range	10,000 nmi (19,000 km; 12,000 mi)
Endurance	50 days
Complement	50
Armament	6 x 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes (Tiger Shark torpedoes and Harpoon missiles) 6 x VLS tubes (cruise and ballistic missile)

Development and design

The Dosan Ahn Changho class incorporates the Korean Vertical Launching System which will be able to carry up to ten indigenous "Chonryong" land-attack cruise missiles and "Hyunmoo" submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM),^[1] becoming the first submarines in the ROKN to have this kind of capability. They will also have many other improvements compared to their predecessors built with a greater degree of South Korean technology, especially in the later batches, which will include Samsung SDI lithium-ion batteries.^[2][3] Measured to displace over 3,800 tonnes (3,700 long tons) submerged during sea trials,^[4] they are the largest conventional submarines ever built by South Korea. The Batch II vessels will increase their displacement by approximately 450 t (440 long tons) (4,250 t, 4,180 long tons submerged), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.^[5]

Construction and career

Ahn Mu was laid down on 17 April 2018 at DSME, Geoje and launched on 10 November 2020.^[6][7] She was commissioned on 20 April 2023.^[8]

References

1. Gady, Franz-Stefan (18 June 2019). "South Korea's First-of-Class KSS-III Attack Sub Begins Sea Trials". The Diplomat. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
2. "South Korea approves procurement of next batch of Aegis destroyers, subs". Naval Today. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
3. "DSME Jangbogo-III Batch-II Pilot Design Has Come to an End". Navy Recognition. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
4. "South Korea's first KSS-3 submarine begins sea trials". Jane's. Archived from the original on 18 June 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
5. Jeong, Jeff (2 May 2019). "South Korea to build 3 more Aegis destroyers able to thwart ballistic missiles". Defense News. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
6. Makichuk, Dave (12 November 2020). "South Korean sub a tribute to famed general Ahn Mu". Asia Times. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
7. Service (KOCIS), Korean Culture and Information. "Navy launches 2nd 3,000-ton submarine Ahn Mu : Korea.net : The official website of the Republic of Korea". www.korea.net. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
8. "South Korea's 2nd KSS III Submarine Commissioned with ROK Navy". navalnews.com. 20 April 2023.