Dolgorae-class submarine

Class overview
Builders: Korea Takoma Shipyard
Operators:  Republic of Korea Navy
Preceded by: Cosmos class
Succeeded by: Chang Bogo class
In commission: 1985
Completed: 3
Active: 2
Retired: 1
Preserved: 1 SSM-051
General characteristics
Type:Midget submarine
Displacement:175 tonnes (172 long tons) full load
Length:25 m (82 ft 0 in)
Beam:2.1 m (6 ft 11 in)
Speed:16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement:14
Sensors and
processing systems:
STN Atlas hull-mounted sonar
Pilkington CK34 search periscope
Armament:2 × 406mm torpedo tubes

The Dolgorae class submarine (Hangul: 돌고래급 잠수정) is a type of midget submarine designed and acquired for the ROK Navy. There are currently two operational units in service.

These midget submarines were the first South Korean submarines of any type. They were acquired primarily to obtain initial experience with the basics of operating a submarine force. The secondary mission to train surface ASW ships in the detection of North Korean midget submarines.

With the Type 209 project completed there is less need for these submarines. In November 2011, South Korea unveiled plans for a new mini-sub designated KSS-500A.

Ships in the class

 Name   Builder   Launched   Commissioned   Decommissioned   Status 
ROKS SSM-051 Korea Takoma Shipyard 2 April 1982 2003 Retired
ROKS SSM-052 Korea Takoma Shipyard 1990 Active
ROKS SSM-053 Korea Takoma Shipyard 1991 Active

See also

References