HD HHI Submarines in the Poland’s ORKA Program

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries

Developed in 1972, Hyundai Heavy Industries (currently HD Hyundai Heavy Industries) of the Republic of Korea is an incorporated hefty market firm including 4 service systems: civil shipbuilding, marine and unique vessels, offshore, and engines and equipment. HHI Team is the leading shipbuilder in regards to the variety of vessels developed yearly and keeps its placement at the leading edge of the worldwide shipbuilding market. Given that the start of its procedure, the firm has actually supplied a total amount of 63 battleships, consisting of assisted projectile destroyers with the Aegis system, brand-new generation frigates, corvettes and patrol ships, along with submarines of numerous kinds, to the Oriental Navy, along with to international consumers. Much more notably, in the HHI participation design, the distribution of a vessel does not finish the participation with the client.

In 2007, the firm turned over the very first device with AIP (Air Self-reliance Propulsion)– ROKS Kid Won-il— to the South Oriental fleet. It was developed under a German permit (Kind 214, described by the producer as HDS-1800) and many thanks to international assistance at the time, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is currently efficient in separately making and producing submarines geared up with the AIP system. The truth that the Oriental mogul has actually profited the lesson on modern technology transfer is confirmed by the truth that there are currently 3 KSS-III ships in solution with the Republic of Korea Navy, the current of which was developed by HHI. These are contemporary systems with high freedom and lengthy immersed times, equipped with upright ballistic projectile launchers. Today, HD HHI is just one of the biggest producers of traditional AIP-powered submarines on an international range.

Greater than twenty years of experience in the building and construction of AIP submarines (manufacturing of the very first HDS-1800 started in 2002) make HHI prepared to move this expertise to various other nations and comprehensive commercial participation. Consequently, in the program of the brand-new Orka submarine, planned for the Polish Navy, HHI can suggest not one task, however numerous. For the time being, the thorough needs for Orka are not recognized, however based upon the concerns increased throughout the preliminary market assessments, HHI can use systems of the KSS-III PL kind (based upon the tested KSS-III Set 1) and a totally brand-new style: The HDS-2300. On top of that, the HHI profile consists of a variety of various other, smaller sized systems: HDS-1500, HDS-700 and HDS-500. The last is currently provided as a prefabricated task, the others are recommended as component of r & d tasks performed along with the having authority.

KSS-III PL– Based Upon a Proven System

The KSS-III Batch-I is the very first submarine of this dimension totally made in the Republic of Korea. It is a vessel with a surface area variation of over 3300 loads, size of 83.5 m, size of 9.6 m, undersea rate of 20 knots and freedom of 50 days. Its weaponry is composed not just of 6 533mm torpedo tubes, however it was likewise chosen to outfit it with VLS (Upright Release System) tubes situated in the hull amidships. They make it possible for the launch of ballistic rockets with traditional warheads (SLBMs– Submarine Launched Ballistic Rocket) from an undersea placement.

On April 4 this year, the Republic of Korea Navy approved the ROKS Shin Chae-ho submarine, developed by HHI at the shipyard in Ulsan. This is the last of the 3 KSS-III Batch-I systems. After completion of this collection, the South Oriental fleet will certainly get its up-to-date variation– the KSS-III Batch-II.

KSS-III Batch-II will certainly be an also bigger ship with a variation of concerning 3,600 loads and a size of 89 meters. It will certainly get, to name a few points, an added 4 VLS ballistic projectile launchers (there will certainly be 10 of them in total amount). A vessel of this dimension might have some restrictions in running in superficial waters, consisting of some areas of the Baltic Sea. On the various other hand, the base design of Batch-I is smaller sized, and in addition, as a result of the truth that the preliminary market assessments did not suggest that upright launchers were needed, the benefits of Batch-II shed their relevance. On top of that, the KSS-III PL, i.e. the variation without VLS, however with extra devices, such as a chamber for beginning unmanned undersea cars (UUV) or unique pressures devices needed by the Polish Navy, reveals extra benefits. Last but not least, this alternative offers even more contemporary lithium-ion cell batteries to change the lead-acid batteries presently being used, and various other cutting-edge, offered and tested technological remedies.

At the very same time, the KSS-III PL submarine is still a really greatly armed vessel, with 6 straight torpedo tubes that can be utilized to release as much as 14 hefty torpedoes, assisted anti-ship rockets, cruise ship rockets and mines. The KSS-III PL might as a result be a concession in between a ship predestined for the Baltic Sea and a vessel efficient in running in the supposed blue (open) waters.

HDS-2300– Ideal Option for the Baltic Sea

A possibly a lot more intriguing deal, not just from the technological perspective, however likewise from the commercial perspective, is the brand-new HDS-2300 submarine. The producer does not disclose lots of technological information of the style. Nevertheless, it is recognized that it is to be a vessel displacing concerning 2,300 loads appeared, 2,550 loads immersed. The HDS-2300 includes a size of 73 meters, an elevation of 14.4 meters and a size of concerning 8 meters. The watercraft will certainly have the ability to immerse to a deepness of well listed below 250 meters. The surface area rate will certainly more than 10 knots, undersea over 20 knots, and the variety and freedom– specifically– over 10,000 maritime miles at 6 knots and 50 days. The stress hull will certainly have a tipped size of 6.6 and 7.6 m, and the vessel will certainly get strict tails in an X-shape, which is taken into consideration to be the ideal option, particularly in superficial waters and with reduced salinity than blue waters. The style includes fairwater airplanes.

The drive is to be an electrical motor, powered by a lithium-ion cell battery (ensuring a much greater capability and billing rate contrasted to lead-acid) and an AIP system utilizing electrochemical gas cells. The mix of lithium-ion and AIP batteries will certainly permit the submarines to stay immersed for as much as 20 days, while the brand-new batteries will certainly permit them to keep greater rates for longer when required. When it comes to seas such as the Baltic Sea, the period of immersed stealth is a really vital tactical criterion that will certainly be taken into consideration when picking a brand-new kind of submarine in the Orka program.

HHI has actually presented developments in the location of AIP systems relating to the storage space of system catalysts. As the producer of 6 of the 9 Kind 214 (HDS-1800) submarines for the Republic of Korea Navy and the service provider for significant overhaul of these vessels, the firm has actually obtained the expertise to create hydrogen and oxygen storage space modern technology. Hydrogen is a really vital consider AIP, and the production of a system to keep it on the ship and supply it to the system is a necessary component for the risk-free procedure of AIP. Although electrochemical cell remedies on submarines do not differ a lot from producer to producer, hydrogen-oxygen installments in each shipyard will certainly be various. HHI has actually established its very own system hereof.

The recommended arrangement of the HDS-2300 weaponry remains in line with the assumptions of the Polish side suggested throughout the preliminary market assessments. The HDS-2300 submarine is to be equipped with 6 533 mm torpedo tubes for hefty torpedoes and assisted rockets (anti-ship and cruise ship rockets), of which it will certainly take a total amount of 20 (6 in the launchers, the hinge on the Tool Handling System [WHS] shelfs). WHS is being established along with Babcock International Team (currently existing on the Polish market many thanks to the Miecznik frigate program). The HDS-2300 is defined by a various format than the existing system, utilized, to name a few, on the bigger KSS-III. HHI has actually changed the ammo storage space and reloading lines, substantially minimizing the moment it requires to refill tools launchers. This relatively little adjustment was evaluated to supply a substantial affordable benefit.

The approach of getting submarines is likewise to be cutting-edge in our problems. HHI suggests joint r & d deal with the HDS-2300 and adjusting it to the needs of the Polish side. As component of this option, Poland would certainly get copyright civil liberties not just in the area of MRO (upkeep, repair service and procedures, extra on this later), however likewise in regards to the opportunity of participation in the building and construction of submarines in the residential shipyard, which would certainly make it possible for Warsaw to export them in the future. When it comes to the Orka program, the concern of time is of wonderful relevance, so the inquiry develops concerning the distribution day of the very first ship. The Koreans state that this might happen in 72 to 80 months from the verdict of the agreement (depending upon the Polish devices needs). This duration consists of the moment required to: style, develop and outfit the facilities; supply training for technological employees; transfer of the required modern technology, along with the building and construction of the ship, team training and technological approval, consisting of all port and sea examinations and tests. For contrast, the distribution duration of the bigger KSS-III has to do with 100 months, which would certainly imply that Poland might get the HDS-2300 submarine numerous months previously as component of r & d job contrasted to the distribution day of the existing and shown option. This is to be feasible as a result of the truth that deal with the HDS-2300 has actually been in progress given that in 2015, and the initial style of the device is to be finished by the end of the summer season vacations.

No lesser consider support of the HDS-2300 is the economic side. For the cost of one huge KSS-III PL, Poland can get 2 HDS-2300 medium-displacement submarines. When it comes to the upkeep prices, they are approximated as 4 times the cost of getting the ship, so the HDS-2300 ship is a a lot more affordable option in this area. This is a vital concern, since the yearly upkeep of the submarine is determined at around 14% of the acquisition expense. Consequently, it is required to pick not just the very best ship, however likewise the ideal commercial deal.

Innovation Transfer & MRO

HHI supplies long-lasting participation in between Oriental and Polish commercial entities, the incorporation of Polish subcontractors in the supply chain and the transfer of the largest transfer of modern technology and expertise in the area of submarine building and construction and upkeep. When it comes to the HDS-2300, we might likewise take control of the intellectual civil liberties to the task and take advantage of the transfer of modern technology for self-construction and afterwards solution, as a result of the truth that 100% of the possession civil liberties in the style come from HHI. Comparative, the possession civil liberties to the KSS-III task come from the South Oriental federal government, so some limitations hereof ought to be taken into consideration.

Over the previous couple of months, HHI reps have actually held a variety of conferences and talks with their equivalents from the Polish market, went to shipyards in Gdynia (PGZ Stocznia Wojenna Sp. z o.o.) and Gdańsk (Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A.) in order to discover their possible and capacities. At this phase, their manufacturing capability was extremely ranked, suggesting that it would certainly be feasible to set up the very first ship in the Polish shipyard. This does not imply that financial investments in facilities are not required, particularly when it concerns the certain needs connected to the building and construction of submarines. HHI highlights, nonetheless, that it currently has comprehensive experience and successes, which relate to the transfer of modern technology and expertise along with assistance in the building and construction of shipyards in Saudi Arabia or Vietnam. The Koreans state that they can accept both state-owned business, e.g. PGZ Naval Shipyard, with which they have actually currently wrapped up a collaboration arrangement (Memorandum of Comprehending), along with personal ones, indicating Remontowa Shipbuilding.

HHI has experience in the area of manufacturing modern technology transfer and MRO that can be reproduced in Poland. An instance is the participation with the Republic of the Philippines. In 2016. Manila has actually gotten 2 HDF-2600 multi-role frigates from HHI. Following this, in 2021, an agreement was wrapped up for a set of HDC-3100 frigates, and a year later on, the Philippines got 6 HDP-2200 course maritime patrol ships. These arrangements exceed easy procurement tasks and are an instance of energetic modern technology transfer. Initially, HHI released a Logistic Life time Assistance (LSS) Facility at its shipyard in Subic, Philippines, in November 2022. Afterwards, in March 2024, it opened up an MRO workplace in Manila with the objective of carrying out the Oriental shipyard’s practical system. The significance of LSS is to minimize prices with product and components administration. Ultimately, neighborhood employees in the Philippines were employed to develop their very own battleships and embrace producing procedures, which is taken into consideration one of the most best approach of modern technology transfer. HD Hyundai Team has actually employed greater than 4,000 neighborhood employees, of which greater than 50 Filipinos are operating in the battleship program. This not just assists in acquiring expertise, however likewise adds to neighborhood financial advancement.

If the HDS-2300 kind vessel is picked, Poland might come to be the proprietor of copyright civil liberties not just in the area of MRO, however likewise in manufacturing, which in the future would certainly allow its export of submarines. The extent of modern technology transfer and expertise, as a result of the truth that HHI has complete possession civil liberties, will certainly make certain the greatest feasible degree of freedom both in the manufacturing and upkeep of ships, decreasing dependancy on international entities and enabling more advancement of the system and systems based upon Polish-Korean participation.

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