[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Australia’s Nuclear Submarine Program in Full Swing… What About Our Navy?

US Nuclear-Powered Submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727)

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As Australia is considering purchasing nuclear-powered submarines from overseas, there are continuous calls for the Republic of Korea Navy to pursue the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines.

Recently, Richard Marles, Australia's Minister of Defense, stated in a local interview, "There is a certain degree of capability gap depending on how quickly nuclear-powered submarines can be produced," adding, "To fill this gap, we can initially consider purchasing directly from foreign countries."

Australia has decided to secure nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security alliance with the United States and the United Kingdom. However, to advance the plan to deploy nuclear submarines by 2040, Australia may opt for direct purchase rather than domestic production. Given China's accelerated expansion into the South Pacific, it is considered more effective to directly purchase finished products that can be rapidly operationalized instead of the time-consuming domestic development approach.

The Republic of Korea Navy holds the position that at least six nuclear-powered submarines are necessary. This is considered the minimum force to counter North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) and to strengthen maritime surveillance around the Korean Peninsula, including Dokdo and Ieodo. With six nuclear-powered submarines, one can be deployed in the East Sea, one in the West Sea, and one for monitoring neighboring countries around Ieodo. The remaining three can undergo maintenance while preparing for rotational duties.

Especially considering North Korea's rapidly emerging underwater capabilities, one or two nuclear-powered submarines are deemed grossly insufficient. North Korea currently possesses over 80 submarines, which is two to three times the size of the Republic of Korea Navy's fleet. Currently, 88 submarines are deployed, including one Sinpo-class submarine capable of launching SLBMs, 20 Romeo-class, 44 Sang-o-class, and 23 Yeon-o-class submarines.

Multiple nuclear-powered submarines are necessary to counter neighboring countries. The countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula are recognized as submarine powers. According to the 2016 Defense White Paper, the submarines of neighboring countries around the Korean Peninsula number 62 for Russia, 65 for China, and 18 for Japan, all ranking within the world's top five submarine powers. China possesses 12 nuclear-powered submarines, and Russia has 43. Japan also has the technological capability to convert submarines into nuclear-powered ones at any time. The logic is that for countering neighboring countries over issues such as Dokdo and Ieodo, it is essential for the Republic of Korea Navy to possess nuclear-powered submarines.

The issues are cost and the ability to secure uranium, the raw material. It is argued that uranium enriched to less than 20%, used as nuclear fuel, can be purchased commercially on the international market without problems. There is also a claim that this can be pursued after confidently reporting to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that there is absolutely no plan to develop nuclear weapons and declaring this to the international community.

If the Republic of Korea Navy uses uranium enriched to 20% for nuclear-powered submarines, the uranium fuel would need to be replaced once every eight years. This is the level used in France's first-generation nuclear-powered submarines, the Rubis-class (2,600 tons). However, considering that the Ministry of National Defense during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, which reviewed nuclear-powered submarine construction, estimated the construction cost per submarine at 1.3 trillion won, at least 8 trillion won would be required to build six submarines.

A military official said, "To conduct regular maintenance and rotational duties for nuclear-powered submarines, six submarines must be possessed. If deployed to the Jeju base squadron, it would enable countering not only North Korea but also neighboring countries around Dokdo and Ieodo."

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