Sang-O class submarine
Encyclopedia
The Sang-O class submarines are in use by North Korea
, and are the country's largest home-built submarines. A single unit was captured by the Republic of Korea Navy
after it ran aground on 18 September 1996 in the 1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident
. The class is based on the Yugoslavia
n Heroj class submarine
s, albeit much stripped down, with vintage radar and sonar systems.
According to the KPA Journal , the decision to developed 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 increased 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 a improved propulsion system is likely using some of the extra length.
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, and are the country's largest home-built submarines. A single unit was captured by the Republic of Korea Navy
Republic of Korea Navy
The Republic of Korea Navy or the ROK Navy is the branch of the South Korean armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations and amphibious landing operations. The ROK Navy includes the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, which is a quasi-autonomous organization...
after it ran aground on 18 September 1996 in the 1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident
1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident
The 1996 Gangneung submarine infiltration incident occurred on September 18, 1996, near the South Korean town of Gangneung. The incident was one of the more serious instances of North Korean espionage involving naval forces....
. The class is based on the Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
n Heroj class submarine
Heroj class submarine
The Heroj class were a group of submarines built for and operated by the Yugoslav Navy-Design:These boats were designed in Yugoslavia and were second group of indigenous submarines...
s, albeit much stripped down, with vintage radar and sonar systems.
Sang-O II / K-300
It was widely reported 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. Subsequent satellite imagery show 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.According to the KPA Journal , the decision to developed 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 increased 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 a improved propulsion system is likely using some of the extra length.