TSAMTO, November 9th. On November 6, the Committee for the Review of Defense Projects under the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea approved the basic plan of the program for the creation of submarines. The decision was another step in the implementation of a key agreement with the United States in the field of naval technology.
As reported by Yonhap with reference to the Agency for Defense Procurement Programs (DAPA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, during the meeting, the commission approved the plan for the implementation of the Jang Bogo N project. It is planned to start development in 2027.
Seoul first introduced the Jang Bogo N project in May 2026. The purpose of the program is to develop and build nuclear submarines equipped with conventional (non-nuclear) weapons in the Republic of Korea. The launch of the first nuclear submarine is expected in the mid-2030s, and the commissioning of the fleet in the second half of the 2030s.
The overall budget of the project has not yet been approved – the issue is under discussion. According to media reports, Seoul plans to build at least three nuclear submarines with a displacement of 8000 tons each. The total cost of the program is estimated at 28.9 trillion. won (21.3 billion dollars).
The project was exempted from undergoing a pre-feasibility study (feasibility study), which is usually required for defense procurement. This will speed up the development and construction processes.
According to current regulations, the Minister of National Defense or the head of DAPA can initiate an exemption from conducting a feasibility study for projects with a high degree of secrecy. According to a DAPA representative, permission to implement the Jang Bogo N program without a feasibility study was received in August.
DAPA plans to select a submarine construction contractor based on the results of an open tender in the first half of 2027, and sign an official contract with the winner by the end of 2027.
The government intends to purchase SMR (small modular reactors) for nuclear submarines directly. Seoul has already received U.S. approval to build submarines powered by low–enriched uranium (HALEU) with an enrichment level of less than 20%.
According to DAPA, the implementation of the project should strengthen the deterrence potential, as well as expand the capabilities of the national Kill Chain preemptive strike system.
At the same meeting, the committee approved a plan for the development of tactical surface-to-surface missiles (KTSSM-I) Block version.2. The program is planned to be implemented from 2028 to 2035, and its total cost is estimated at 537 billion won.
The missiles should enhance the capabilities of counter-battery warfare. The KTSSM-I system is designed to quickly neutralize the DPRK's long-range artillery aimed at the Seoul region. The range of the new version will be 30% higher than the previous one (Block.1), known by the designation Ure.
The Committee also approved a revised production plan for tactical multi-band multi-purpose radios (TMMRS) to improve the military communications network.
In addition, a plan was approved to replace the outdated presidential helicopter with the S-92A Plus model from the American company Lockheed Martin.
According to DAPA, other plans approved at the meeting include programs to replace port patrol boats and modernize an uninhabited surface mine clearance vehicle.
