Lithium-ion Batteries: South Korean & Chinese Subs

Following their briefing of March 26, 2021, on Japanese submarine Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs), Derek Woolner and David Glynne Jones have kindly provided information  on LIBs, summarised as follows: 

SOUTH KOREA (SK)

LIBS to be on SK's new conventionally (diesel-electric) propelled cruise and/or ballistic missile submarines (KSS-III SSBs)

SK is building its 9 x KSS-III SSBs in 3 “Blocks” of 3 each. The first 3 (KSS-III Block 1s)  will have current technology Lead-acid Batteries (LABs) and fuel cell Air Independent Propulsion (AIP).

For KSS-III Blocks 2 and 3 SK undertook a research process which determined LIBs were the best way to go. Blocks 2 and 3 will have reportedly use Samsung SDI LIBs. See further details here and here . LIBs development for SK subs may have been ongoing for 5+ years.

SK’s 3 x KSS-III Block 2s will be [launched 2022-23 and 24 then steadily commissioned] in the mid-late 2020s. They will be equipped with LIB main batteries and fuel cell AIP. The Block 2 LIB main battery system will be approximately double the effective capacity of the Collins class submarine main battery but less than half the weight.

CHINA – A LIB MAYBE

LIBs on Chinese Yuan-class conventionally propelled attack submarines (SSKs). 

Rounding out East Asian LIB developments. There have been unconfirmed reports, since 2015, that China has been planning to build a LIB-equipped evolution of the Yuan-class Type 039 SSK. 

There are strengthening indications that China will build a significant number (> 20) of Type 039C LIB-equipped submarines in the mid-late 2020s. See https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/yuan-units.htm (a limited free looks paysite.)

About Derek Woolner and David Glynne Jones 

Derek is co-author of the 2008 classic The Collins Class Submarine Story: Steel, Spies and Spin . He is a previous Director of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Group in the Parliamentary Research Service.

David is an independent advocate for the adoption of renewable energy technology across all sectors of the Australian economy. He is currently assessing the implications of emerging advanced battery technology for electrification of the Australian transport sector.

Their blog-website is Woolner and Jones. 

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PETE COMMENT

Regarding South Korean LIBs

On the basis of Japanese sub JS Oryu's launch in October 2018 and the first KSS-III Block 2 perhaps being launched in late 2022, SK LIB development may be 4 years behind Japan’s. SK’s KSS-IIIs will not be typical SSKs (unlike Japan’s Soryus and Taigeis or SK's KSS-Is and KSS-IIs). SK’s KSS-IIIs are dedicated carriers of vertical launch systems for cruise or ballistic missiles - making these subs SSBs].

See SubMatts article of February 5, 2016, China's Yuan Subs May Adopt LIB Batteries. 

Regarding Chinese LIBs

China's Winston Battery company (aka "Shenzhen Smart Lion Power Battery Limited" and/or "Thunder Sky") may be (or is) developing a 335kg WB-LYP10000AHA LIB for submarines (see below). 

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The following Winston LIB Battery entry is dated "6 years ago", hence may be dated 2015. See https://gwl-power.tumblr.com/post/106634862416/winston-battery-wb-lyp10000aha-in-large or here and reads:

"Winston Battery WB-LYP10000AHA in large submarines"

"The technical information gives some ideas about the size of the battery pack for the Yuan-class of diesel-electric submarines to be equipped with an air-independent propulsion system (AIP) powered from large battery banks.

The battery pack consists of 960 pcs of the WB-LYP10000AHA cells making the total energy of 31MWh. The lithium battery is saving some 260 tons of weight against the original lead-acid pack. With this pack the Yuan-class (B-class) diesel-electric submarine can drive 3300 nautical miles or it can stay under water for 800 hours (33 days). This indicates the average onboard consumption of the submarine when not moving is some 38kW/h." 

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Submarine LIBs may already be aboard one or two of Chinese Yuan class (039A) test submarines or on China’s dedicated large test sub (known as the Type 032 “Qing” class). The Winston LIB concept might additionally be a marketing idea to attract foreign finance. It is possible Russia may be interested in the Winston LIB concept.

Pete