Aug. 8, 2014 / 11:46 AM

Hyundai Heavy Industries launches South Korean Navy submarines

A fifth 214-class submarine for the South Korean Navy has been launched by Hyundai Heavy Industries and is expected to become operational in 2016.

A 214-class submarine being built in Germany for the Greek Navy. (Photo by Papanikolis)

A 214-class submarine being built in Germany for the Greek Navy. (Photo by Papanikolis)

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Hyundai Heavy Industries has launched a new 214-class submarine, to be equipped with locally produced cruise missiles, for the South Korean Navy.

The vessel is the Yun Bong Gil Ham, which weighs 1,800 tons, is 214 feet long, and has a top speed of 20 knots.

The ship is the fifth 214-class submarine of the country's navy.

According to the Department of National Defense, the ship features an air independent propulsion system that charges the submarine's storage battery without air, enabling it to stay submerged for two weeks.

Hyundai Heavy Industries will transfer the under-construction submarine to the navy in the second half of next year. Nine months of tests and evaluations will follow, culminating in the vessel gaining operational status, Korean officials said.

The country currently operates 10 209-class and 214-class submarines. The first 209-class vessel, the Jang Bo Go Ham, was taken over from Germany in 1992.

Read More

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Defense News // 3 years ago

Austin visits Ukraine, voices U.S. support against Russian aggression

Oct. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Ukraine continues to have U.S. support against Russian aggression and is free to decide its own foreign policy during a visit to Kyiv Tuesday.

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Defense News // 3 years ago

Citing Russian occupation, U.S. signs new defense pact with Georgia

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a new security agreement with Georgia Monday, seeking to buttress relations with the Black Sea nation as it continues to face Russian troops in two of its regions.

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Defense News // 3 years ago

Pentagon orders all civilian employees to be fully vaccinated by Nov. 22

Oct. 4 (UPI) -- The Pentagon on Monday ordered all Department of Defense civilian employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by no later than Nov. 22.

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Defense News // 3 years ago

Army investigating suspected suicides of three Fort Drum soldiers

Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army is investigating the suspected suicides of three soldiers based at New York's Fort Drum.

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Defense News // 3 years ago

Four Marines remain hospitalized month after suicide bombing at Afghan airport

Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Four U.S. Marines remain hospitalized after an attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, last month as service members were evacuating foreign nationals and refugees.

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

Defense News // 3 years ago

South Korean firm to supply rapid COVID-19 test kits to U.S. military

SEOUL, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- South Korean biopharmaceutical firm Celltrion has agreed to supply its DiaTrust rapid COVID-19 test kit to the U.S. military.

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Defense News // 3 years ago

Army tests MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle at Fort Bragg ahead of fielding

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The Army has successfully tested the MK-22 Precision Sniper Rifle to clear it for fielding.

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. Navy, Bahrain partner to ramp up unmanned systems use

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Bahraini leaders committed Thursday to partnering with a new U.S. Navy task force to ramp up new unmanned system efforts.

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. F-16 fighter jets intercept Cessna during U.N. General Assembly

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- U.S. fighter jets escorted a small plane flown by a U.S. Army soldier out of restricted air space over New York City during the United Nations General Assembly.

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Defense News // 3 years ago

U.S. Space Force to take over SATCOM operations from Army, Navy

Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Space Force will take over satellite communications billets, funding and mission responsibility from the U.S. Army and Navy, the Department of Defense announced Wednesday.