PORTSMOUTH, England, Sept. 3 (UPI) — South Korea's submarine program is being supported by QinetiQ Maritime of Britain, which will perform building and testing services.

 

The contract was issued by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. No monetary value for the work, however, was disclosed.

 

"We selected QinetiQ based on their extensive knowledge in the design, development and testing of new submarine concepts," said a senior manager of DSME's Naval & Special Ship Design Team. "In addition, their track record of having successfully worked with a number of navies and naval constructors including the UK Royal Navy, (and) supported by their extensive state of the art submarine testing facilities and equipment, make them an excellent partner for us on this exciting new Korean submarine project."

 

Under the award, QinetiQ will conduct submarine free-running model tests, which will include building the submarine model and testing it.

 

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. has been selected by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to build two 3,000-ton class conventional submarines.

 

"QinetiQ is one of the world's leading providers of submarine support services," Sarah Kenny, managing director of QinetiQ Maritime, said. "We have many highly experienced and knowledgeable engineers, scientists and technicians who are able to deliver a wide range of services."