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After 10 Years of Collaboration, Hanwha Ocean Localizes Key Submarine Equipment

Policy1 min read

Hanwha Ocean says it has built a submarine part that pushes torpedoes out with water pressure. The part was developed in Korea after ten years of work with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).

What happened

Hanwha Ocean, a Korean shipbuilder, said it has made a key submarine device in Korea instead of buying it from other countries. The device is a horizontal launcher. It sends torpedoes and other weapons out of a submarine into the sea. The new launcher uses a "water ram" method, which means water pressure pushes the weapon out. Hanwha Ocean also developed control technology that keeps the weapon moving at a set speed.

Key facts

  • The work took about 10 years, done together with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD).
  • The launcher replaces equipment that used to be imported.
  • The company expects lower purchase costs and shorter delivery times.
  • The launcher is built to handle high water pressure and strong shocks.
  • Several safety devices were added to prevent mistakes, and the design was simplified to make upkeep easier.

Why the launcher is hard to build

A submarine often fires weapons deep under the sea. To do this, it must open an outer door on the launch tube. The device must survive high water pressure at that depth. Engineers must also control how hard the weapon is pushed, so it leaves at the right speed and does not get damaged.

Why it matters

Making this part in Korea can lower costs and reduce the wait for parts. The company also says the work will help it build future submarines and compete for sales abroad. It also gained a method to design launchers for different submarines, which it plans to use for future equipment.

What to watch

  • Whether Hanwha Ocean uses this launcher on next-generation submarines.
  • Whether the company wins export deals with other countries.
  • How much cost and delivery time actually improve after the switch from imports.

Glossary

Hanwha Ocean
A Korean shipbuilder that builds ships and submarines.
Agency for Defense Development (ADD)
A Korean government group that researches and develops weapons and defense technology.

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