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South Korea launches guided-missile submarine

A Type 214 submarine has been launched for the South Korean Navy.

By Richard Tomkins
Launch ceremony for South Korea's seventh Type 214 submarine. Photo courtesy Hyundai Heavy Industries
Launch ceremony for South Korea's seventh Type 214 submarine. Photo courtesy Hyundai Heavy Industries

SEOUL, April 6 (UPI) -- South Korea's Navy has launched a new Type 214-class attack submarine built by Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The Hong Beom-do, a 1,800-ton diesel-electric vessel, is the seventh Type 214 submarine in the Korean Navy, which designates Type 214s as Son Won-il-class ships.

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"With its capacity to launch precision attacks on warships, submarines or any other land-based targets, the Hong Beom-do would play a pivotal role in the national defense," the Yonhap news agency quoted Navy Adm. Jung Ho-sub.

The admiral is the country's chief of naval operations.

The submarine, capable of firing guided missiles, is about 213 feet long, 20.6 feet in the beam and has a maximum speed of 20 knots.

It was launched Tuesday at a shipyard south of Seoul and will perform a shakedown cruise before joining the fleet for operations next year.

Type 214 submarines were designed by Germany's Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH.

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