Article Posted on : - Sep 22, 2011

A S Korean Navy submarine.

PARIS (BNS): European defence firm Sagem has clinched a deal to modernise the navigation system of South Korean Navy’s KSS-1 class conventional submarines.

The South Korean Defence Ministry’s Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) has selected Sagem to equip the KSS-1 class Chang Bogo submarines with Sigma 40XP inertial navigation systems.

Under the deal, each vessel will be fitted with two Sigma navigation systems, integrated in the ship’s combat system, Sagem said, without divulging the contract details.

“The technical qualities of the Sigma navigation systems proved decisive in DAPA’s decision, further confirming the South Korean navy’s confidence in Sagem, which already provides navigation systems for its surface vessels,” the company said.

The Sigma 40XP is a state-of-the-art inertial navigation system, combining high-performance laser gyros and advanced digital filtering techniques.

Its installation on the KSS-1 class submarines will significantly enhance operational capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the South Korean navy, Sagem, which has provided navigation systems for 11 different classes of submarines and around 300 surface vessels, said.