Sang-O-class Midget Submarine
Type: Midget Submarine
Domain: sea
Country of Origin: North Korea
Manufacturer: Korean Peoples Army Munitions Industry
First Deployed: 1991
Overview
The Sang-O ('Shark') class is North Korea's primary special operations midget submarine, designed specifically to infiltrate South Korean coastal areas and deploy special forces. These small submarines displace approximately 300 tonnes and can carry up to 30 special forces troops or deploy divers for sabotage and reconnaissance missions. The Sang-O gained international notoriety when one grounded on a South Korean beach during the 1996 Gangneung infiltration operation, providing rare insight into North Korean special warfare tactics.
Technical Specifications
| length | ~35 m |
|---|---|
| armament | Torpedoes, mines, diver lock-out capability |
| complement | 6 crew + up to 30 special forces |
| propulsion | Diesel-electric |
| displacement | ~300 tonnes |
Operators
- North Korea
Related sea Weapon Systems
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- Type 075 LHD - amphibious (China)
- Type 076 LHA - amphibious (China)
- Orka Class Submarine - submarine (Netherlands)
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- AN/SPY-1 - Naval Multi-Function Radar (United States)