Hanwha Ocean-Hanwha Aerospace Launch Development of Fuel Cells for Export Submarines

Joint National Project for Developing Innovative Fuel Cell System

Independent Fuel Cell Module, Strengthening Competitiveness in the Global Submarine Market

Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Aerospace recently won the project for the "Export-type 3000-ton class KSS-Ⅲ (Next-generation nitrogen-mixed long-life PEMFC module equipped fuel cell system) modification development," led by the Defense Technology Promotion Research Institute.

Jangbogo-III submarine built by Hanwha Ocean. Photo by Hanwha Ocean

This project is led by Hanwha Ocean, which has the experience of exporting submarines for the first time in Korea and has a dedicated export and specialized research organization. Hanwha Aerospace plans to secure key components of the fuel cell system for export submarines by 2028.

Submarines are a core weapon system of naval forces. To enable submarines to remain submerged for extended periods, an energy source capable of propulsion without external air supply is required. For this purpose, the Air Independent Propulsion System (AIPS) is used.

In particular, AIP systems using fuel cells allow for submerged operation of more than two weeks, offering higher efficiency and lower noise and vibration compared to other air-independent propulsion technologies.

Based on its experience in developing fuel cell systems for aviation, civilian ships, and military unmanned underwater vehicles, Hanwha Aerospace plans to develop an independent export-type submarine fuel cell module and secure core technologies.

Through this project, Hanwha Ocean aims to develop a fuel cell system with superior performance compared to advanced competitors and apply it to export-type submarines, thereby further strengthening its competitiveness in the global submarine market.

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