[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Australia Decides to Introduce Nuclear-Powered Submarines... What About Us

Borei-class nuclear submarine

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As Australia plans to acquire two 7,800-ton nuclear-powered submarines by 2030, there is growing interest in whether our military can also introduce nuclear-powered submarines.

Originally, the United Kingdom signed a contract in 2016 with the French defense company Naval Group to build 12 diesel submarines worth 56 billion euros (approximately 77 trillion won). However, after paying a contract deposit of 75 billion won, the UK abruptly canceled the contract. Instead, it decided to acquire two nuclear submarines from the United States by 2030. By establishing the trilateral security alliance "AUKUS" with the US and UK last year, the UK effectively advanced its plan to create a nuclear submarine fleet after 2040 by more than a decade.

Australia also decided to increase its maximum number of nuclear-powered submarines from 8 to 10. If Australia secures nuclear-powered submarines as planned, it is expected to become the country with the strongest submarine force among US allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

Our military also secretly pursued the development of nuclear-powered submarines during the Roh Moo-hyun administration but the plan was abandoned. President Moon Jae-in mentioned before his inauguration in April 2017 during a presidential candidate debate that "nuclear submarines have become necessary for us, and I will discuss revising the Korea-US Atomic Energy Agreement for this purpose." After being elected, he raised the need for nuclear-powered submarines as a means to enhance our military's self-defense strategy during a phone call with then-US President Donald Trump. It is known that Kim Hyun-jong, the second deputy director of the National Security Office, expressed the necessity of developing nuclear-powered submarines and the desire to purchase nuclear fuel required for submarine operation during his visit to the US in October 2020.

The Republic of Korea Navy holds the position that at least six nuclear-powered submarines are necessary. This is considered the minimum force to deter North Korea’s submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and to strengthen maritime surveillance around the Korean Peninsula, including Dokdo and Ieodo. With six nuclear-powered submarines, one can be deployed in the East Sea, one in the West Sea, and one for monitoring neighboring countries around Ieodo. The remaining three can undergo maintenance while preparing for rotation duties.

Especially considering North Korea’s rapidly growing underwater capabilities, one or two nuclear-powered submarines are deemed insufficient. North Korea currently possesses about 80 submarines, which is two to three times the size of our navy’s fleet. Deployed are 1 Sinpo-class submarine capable of launching SLBMs, 20 Romeo-class, 44 Sang-o-class, and 23 Yeon-o-class submarines, totaling 88 vessels.

Multiple nuclear-powered submarines are necessary to deter neighboring countries as well. Surrounding countries of the Korean Peninsula are recognized as submarine powers. According to the 2016 Defense White Paper, the number of submarines among neighboring countries around the peninsula are Russia with 62, China with 65, and Japan with 18, all ranked within the world’s top five submarine powers. China possesses 12 nuclear-powered submarines, and Russia has 43. Japan also has the technological capability to convert its submarines into nuclear-powered ones at any time. The logic is that to counter issues surrounding Dokdo and Ieodo and to deter neighboring countries, it is essential for our navy to possess nuclear-powered submarines.

The issues are cost and the ability to secure uranium fuel. It is believed that uranium enriched below 20%, used as nuclear fuel, can be purchased commercially on the international market without problems. There is also an argument that development could proceed after confidently reporting to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that there is absolutely no plan to develop nuclear weapons and declaring this to the international community.

If our navy uses uranium enriched to 20% for nuclear-powered submarines, the uranium fuel would need to be replaced every eight years. This is the level used in France’s first-generation nuclear-powered submarines, the Rubis-class (2,600 tons). However, considering that the Ministry of National Defense during the Roh Moo-hyun administration estimated the construction cost of one nuclear-powered submarine at 1.3 trillion won, building six submarines would require at least 8 trillion won.

A military official said, "To conduct regular maintenance and shift duties for nuclear-powered submarines, it is necessary to have six submarines. If deployed to the Jeju base squadron, it would enable deterrence capabilities not only against North Korea but also neighboring countries around Dokdo and Ieodo."