Korea to transfer retiring submarine to Poland amid acquisition project bid

Korea is set to transfer a retiring 1,200-ton submarine to Poland free of charge, military sources said Wednesday, in apparent support for a Korean defense firm bidding for the European country's submarine procurement project. Under the plan, the defense ministry is expected to hand over the ROKS Jang Bogo, the country's first naval submarine, set to retire at the end of the year after 34 years in service, according to the sources. The move comes as Poland is seeking to acquire up to four submarines to replace its aging fleet of vessels under the Orka project. Korean defense firm Hanwha Ocean is among the companies bidding to win the multibillion-dollar deal. Seoul's defense ministry did not confirm details of the plan, citing international relations, but said the ROKS Jang Bo-go will be effectively utilized for defense exports and arms industry cooperation. The 1,200-ton submarine was launched at an HDW shipyard in Germany in 1991 and was acquired by the Korean Navy the following year. Named after a legendary ninth-century maritime explorer and trader from the Unified Silla Kingdom, theWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times