[Mid-term Plan Key Point] ① Will the First Official Light Aircraft Carrier Be Equipped with F-35B?

Large Transport Ship-II Project Last Year Announced by President Moon Jae-in as Light Aircraft Carrier
Removed Space for Landing Craft on Large Transport Ship, Enabling F-35B Fighter Jet Deployment

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The most notable point in the mid-term plan announced by the Ministry of National Defense is that the military officially confirmed the introduction of a light aircraft carrier (displacement of 30,000 tons) for the first time this year. Originally, the military had been proceeding with the Large Transport Ship-II project, and some analysts interpret this as a strategic move in preparation for the introduction of the F-35B.

On the 10th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it had established the 2021-2025 Defense Mid-term Plan, which includes plans for military force construction and operation over the next five years. The budget allocated in this mid-term defense plan is 300.7 trillion won, with 100.1 trillion won allocated to defense capability improvement to enhance advanced forces in response to all-around security threats, and 200.6 trillion won allocated for power operation costs for defense operations.

The military officially confirmed the introduction of a light aircraft carrier for the first time this year. The project gained momentum after President Moon Jae-in mentioned a light aircraft carrier-class landing ship in his speech commemorating Armed Forces Day last year. The light aircraft carrier removes the space for landing crafts on a large transport ship and instead carries fighter jets. This is why it is analyzed as a strategic move in preparation for the introduction of the F-35B stealth fighter jet, which is capable of vertical takeoff and landing.

Concerns have also been raised that the introduction of the F-35B may delay the Air Force’s plan to procure an additional 20 F-35A aircraft. The Air Force planned to complete the procurement of 40 F-35A aircraft by next year, then immediately procure 20 more to establish a '60 F-35A system' by the mid to late 2020s. However, if the F-35B is introduced, the procurement of the F-35A will inevitably be delayed.

If the F-35B is introduced, the F-35A procurement will inevitably be delayed
It is practically impossible to deploy F-35A on large transport ships such as the Dokdo-class

If a light aircraft carrier is constructed, it will be regarded as the third large transport ship of the light aircraft carrier class. The Navy currently possesses two large transport ships (14,000 tons class): the Dokdo (the first ship) and the Marado, which was launched last May.

Some suggest that the existing Marado could be modified to operate the F-35B stealth fighter. The U.S. diplomatic and security analysis firm Stratfor analyzed that countries in the Western Pacific region, including South Korea and Japan, are intensifying their naval military competition by considering modifications to their large transport ships and escort ships. Stratfor predicted that if South Korea and Japan modify the decks of the Dokdo-class and Izumo-class ships respectively to enable vertical takeoff and landing for the F-35B, each could carry more than 12 F-35Bs. This could be used to strengthen air defense for maritime transport route protection, strike inland targets, and protect their fleets.

However, the reality is not easy. To operate the F-35B on a Dokdo-class large transport ship, the deck must be replaced with a high-strength material that can withstand the intense heat generated when vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operate. Currently, the large transport ships owned by the South Korean Navy can only operate transport helicopters and maritime operation helicopters. Military experts estimate that about seven F-35Bs could be loaded, but even this would require a complete redesign of the interior to secure space.

The runway for takeoff and landing is also an issue. The F-35B only performs vertical landing; for takeoff, it requires a runway of at least 150 meters. To accommodate this runway, the ship must be at least 30,000 tons in size. To operate as a light aircraft carrier, not only the deck but also the runway and engines (maximum speed 23 knots) must be replaced.

Kim Dae-young, a research fellow at the National Strategy Research Institute, said, "Various conditions are required to operate the F-35B," adding, "Considering the cost of modifying the transport ships currently owned by our Navy, it is more desirable to newly construct a ship suitable for operating the F-35B."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.