Builders Korea Takoma Shipyard In commission 1985–2016 | Succeeded by Chang Bogo class Completed 3 | |
The Dolgorae class submarine (Hangul: 돌고래급 잠수정) was a type of midget submarine designed and acquired for the ROK Navy. All three units are now retired.
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 no need for these submarines.
Replacement
In November 2011, South Korea unveiled plans for a new mini-sub designated KSS-500A. In September 2015, Janes reported that Hyundai Heavy Industries started construction of a single 40 m long HDS-400 mini submarine for an unnamed naval customer.