Sang-O-class submarine
{{Short description|1991 class of North Korean Navy submarines}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2010}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2 }} |+ Sang-O class {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = 1996 NK sub (cropped).jpg | Ship caption = Submarine involved in the 1996 incident }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Name = | Builders = Bong Dao Bo Shipyards, Singpo{{sfn|Miller|2003|p=472}} | Operators = {{navy|North Korea}} | Class before = {{sclass2|Yugo|submarine|4}} | Class after = {{sclass2|Sinpo|submarine|4}} | Subclasses = Attack version, infiltration/reconnaissance version | Cost = | Built range = | In service range = | In commission range = 1991 | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = | Total ships completed = 41+ | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 40 (February 2021){{cite news | title = N.Korea Builds up Submarine Force | date = 21 March 2011 | publisher = The Chosun Ilbo | url = http://www.kpajournal.com/storage/KPAJ-2-03.pdf}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/north-korea-submarine-capabilities/|title = North Korea Submarine Capabilities | NTI}} | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = 1 captured by South Korea | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = 1 }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = (Sang-O I armed version) | Ship class = | Ship type = Coastal submarine | Ship displacement = * 275 tons (surfaced)
| Ship length = {{cvt|34|m|ftin}} | Ship beam = {{cvt|3.8|m|ftin}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = | Ship draft = | Ship power = | Ship propulsion = Diesel-electric: 1 small diesel, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft | Ship speed = *{{convert|7.5|kn}} surfaced
| Ship range = {{cvt|1500|nmi}} | Ship endurance = | Ship test depth = {{cvt|150|m}}, capable of bottoming | Ship boats = | Ship capacity = 0 (10/11 in recce version) | Ship troops = | Ship complement = 15 | Ship crew = | Ship time to activate = | Ship sensors = *Radar
| Ship EW = | Ship armament = *4 × {{cvt|533|mm|0}} torpedo tubes fitted with Russian 53-65KE torpedoes
| Ship armour = | Ship armor = | Ship notes = Fitted with a snorkel }} |
The Sang-O ("Shark") class of submarines (Hangul: 상어급 잠수함) are diesel-electric coastal submarines in service with the Korean People's Navy, the navy of North Korea.{{Cite web |title=SSC Sang-o Class |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/dprk/s-sango.htm |website=GlobalSecurity.org}} They are the country's second largest indigenously-built submarines.
Though North Korean military capabilities are mostly kept classified, it was reported that North Korea maintains 40 Sang-O-class submarines as of February 2021.
History
The Sang-O class was introduced in 1991, produced at Bong Dao Bo Shipyards in Sinpo.
A single unit was captured by the Republic of Korea Navy (South Korea) after it ran aground on 18 September 1996 in the Gangneung submarine infiltration incident.{{sfn|Miller|2003|p=472}}
The seized Sang-O-class submarine was placed on display at Unification Park near Gangneung, which was opened on 26 September 2001.
Design
The Sang-O class was reported to be larger than a midget submarine, but smaller than the Romeo and Whiskey-class submarines.{{Cite web|url=https://www.militaryperiscope.com/weapons/ships/submarines/sang-o-class-ssm|title=SANG-O-class SSM | Military Periscope}} They are usually equipped with four {{cvt|533|mm|0}} torpedo tubes and 16 mines, but some are unarmed and are used to carry North Korean commandos.{{Cite web|url=https://news.usni.org/2013/11/13/asias-submarine-race|title = Asia's Submarine Race|date = 13 November 2013}}
=New class=
It was reported in March 2011 that a new version of the Sang-O class had been deployed in North Korea.{{cite news | title = KPN deploys new version of Sang O class Coastal Submarine | date = 21 March 2011 | author = Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. | publisher = KPA Journal | url = http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/03/21/2011032100584.html}} 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.{{cite news | title = South Korea releases details of North Korea coastal submarine | date = 25 April 2011 | url = http://osgeoint.blogspot.com/2011/04/south-korea-releases-details-of-north.html}}
Other footage of the nearby docks of Sinp'o appear to depict the Sang-O II / K-300 as early as 2004 (at 40 01'31.20"N 128 09'55.80"E). Subsequent satellite imagery shows 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 develop 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 increase 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 an improved propulsion system is possibly housed in some of the extra length.
References
{{reflist}}
=Bibliography=
{{commons category|Sang-O-class}}
- {{cite book |editor1-last=Miller |editor1-first=David |date= 2003 |title= Illustrated Directory of Special Forces |location=St. Paul, Minnesota |publisher=Salamander Books |isbn=978-0760314197 }}
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