Sang-O-class submarine

Sang-O class
Submarine involved in the 1996 incident
Class overview
BuildersBong Dao Bo Shipyards, Singpo[1]
Operators Korean People's Navy
Preceded byYugo class
Succeeded bySinpo class
SubclassesAttack version, infiltration/reconnaissance version
In commission1991
Completed41+
Active40 (February 2021)[2][3]
Lost1 captured by South Korea
Preserved1
General characteristics (Sang-O I armed version)
TypeCoastal submarine
Displacement
  • 275 tons (surfaced)
  • 370 tons (submerged)
Length34 m (111 ft 7 in)
Beam3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
PropulsionDiesel-electric: 1 small diesel, 1 electric motor, 1 shaft
Speed
  • 7.5 knots (13.9 km/h; 8.6 mph) surfaced
  • 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) submerged
Range1,500 nmi (2,800 km; 1,700 mi)
Test depth150 m (490 ft), capable of bottoming
Capacity0 (10/11 in recce version)
Complement15
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
NotesFitted 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.[4] 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.[3]

  1. ^ Miller 2003, p. 472.
  2. ^ "N.Korea Builds up Submarine Force" (PDF). The Chosun Ilbo. 21 March 2011.
  3. ^ a b "North Korea Submarine Capabilities | NTI".
  4. ^ "SSC Sang-o Class". GlobalSecurity.org.