Light aircraft carrier to be operationally deployed around 2033

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The Navy's light aircraft carrier is expected to be operational around 2033.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on the 22nd that it held the 133rd Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee (DAPPC) chaired by Defense Minister Seo Wook, where it reviewed and approved the basic strategy for the project to design and build the light aircraft carrier (CVX) through domestic research and development. Accordingly, a total of 2.03 trillion KRW will be invested from 2022 to 2033 to construct and deploy the light aircraft carrier. However, DAPA explained that the total project cost will be finalized after a feasibility study is conducted later.

The light aircraft carrier was officially formalized when the Ministry of National Defense included the concept design plan for the "Multipurpose Large Transport Ship-II" in the "2020-2024 Defense Mid-term Plan" in August 2019, and the concept and basic design plans were incorporated into the "2021-2025 Defense Mid-term Plan" last August.

However, as debates over whether to proceed with construction continued, only 100 million KRW was allocated under the name of "research service expenses" in this year's defense budget of 52.8401 trillion KRW.

DAPA explained, "This project aims to secure our military's first light aircraft carrier equipped with vertical takeoff and landing fighter jets to quickly respond to various security threats and deter provocations in anticipated conflict zones."

Additionally, the committee reviewed and approved the basic strategy for the "Counter-battery Radar-III Project," which will invest 390 billion KRW from 2022 to 2033. This project will replace the currently operated, aging counter-battery radars (TPQ-36 and TPQ-37) and secure counter-battery radars with improved target detection capabilities and survivability.

DAPA stated, "In this meeting, reflecting the results of preliminary research and reviews from related agencies, the acquisition plan for this project will be pursued through domestic research and development. The total project cost will be reviewed and finalized after a feasibility study is conducted later."

Furthermore, the committee also reviewed and approved a revised basic strategy for the "Korean Destroyer (KDX-II) Performance Improvement Project." This project will invest a total of 470 billion KRW from 2022 to 2031 and aims to upgrade the performance of KDX-II vessels currently operated by the Navy.

DAPA explained, "Previously, only towed array sonar systems were planned to be domestically procured for performance upgrades, but in this meeting, based on revised requirements and preliminary research results, the scope of performance improvement was expanded to include the combat system through domestic research and development, and the revision was reviewed and approved."

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