Latest Submarine Component Defects Raise Concerns Over Power Shortage

214-class submarine

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] It has been confirmed that the latest submarines owned by our Navy have experienced component defects. Concerns are arising that a gap in our military capabilities may occur amid signs that North Korea is preparing to launch submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM).

According to the military on the 15th, among the nine 214-class (Son Won-il class) submarines owned by the Navy, the inverter module cables installed on Son Won-il (No. 1), Yoon Bong-gil (No. 5), and Yu Gwan-sun (No. 6) have shown discoloration issues. The inverter module is a key component of the propulsion motor that rotates the submarine’s propeller. If contaminants flow into the inverter module through the discolored cables, it could cause critical defects.

The Son Won-il class submarines are equipped with Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems that allow them to operate underwater for about two weeks without surfacing. In particular, using the submarine’s greatest strength?stealth?they can strike enemy key facilities with domestically produced cruise missiles (SLCM, Cheonryong) with a range of 1,000 km.

The problem is that immediate replacement is impossible domestically. Siemens, the German manufacturer of the inverter modules, prohibits disassembly under the pretext of technology protection. The entire inverter module must be sent to Germany, and considering the round-trip shipping time (2 months) and replacement period (4 months), it will be difficult to deploy the submarines for operations for more than six months. Replacement work on Yoon Bong-gil began in January, Son Won-il is scheduled to start in August this year, and Yu Gwan-sun in February next year. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has signed a contract with Siemens for 7 billion KRW to replace the cables after the quality assurance period for the 214-class submarines ended.

A Navy official said, "Problems have occurred in some of the Son Won-il class submarines, and we are cooperating with the manufacturer," adding, "Replacement is being carried out according to the maintenance schedule of each vessel to ensure there is no impact on operations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.