[Defense Contribution] This Is How the Navy's Air Power Gets Stronger

[Monthly Aviation Editor-in-Chief Kim Jae-han] The Navy's aviation operation capabilities are expected to be significantly enhanced. Following the recent upgrade of the unit size to a command-level organization, the introduction of new aircraft to further strengthen aviation operation capabilities is also progressing smoothly. Moreover, once unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance are integrated into manned-unmanned combined operations, various maritime operations are expected to be conducted more effectively.

▲ Growth into a command-level unit after 71 years = First, the Navy recently upgraded the unit size from a brigade-level to a command-level organization in preparation for future aviation force expansion. On July 15, the Navy held the inauguration ceremony for the newly established 'Naval Aviation Command' and transferred maritime aviation operation control authority from the Naval Operations Command to the newly created Naval Aviation Command. This marked the transformation from a unit receiving aviation operation control to one commanding aviation operations. The 'Aviation Section,' which began on April 1, 1951, at the Naval Air Depot, has grown into the 'Naval Aviation Command' after 71 years.

During this period, the Navy gradually grew by securing aircraft with great difficulty. Starting with the Navy's first aircraft, Haechwiho (海鷲號), completed on August 25, 1951, the Navy secured maritime aircraft by modifying Seohaeho (1954), Jehaeho (1957), and Tonghaeho (1958). However, Navy personnel had to rush around to procure airframes and parts, facing many challenges in acquiring aircraft.

Subsequently, the Navy laid the foundation for maritime aviation operations by introducing the S-2 maritime patrol aircraft in 1976, the Lynx maritime operation helicopter starting in 1991, the UH-60 maritime mobility helicopter in 1994, the P-3C maritime patrol aircraft from 1995, the Caravan air defense target towing aircraft from 1999, and most recently, the AW-159 maritime operation helicopter.

▲ Strengthening operational capabilities through diverse activities = As the Navy gradually built up its aviation forces, it also enhanced operational capabilities through various activities. For example, the S-2 maritime patrol aircraft played a key role in the July 1978 Geomundo spy ship sinking operation, the August 1983 Ulleungdo spy ship sinking operation, and the December 1998 Yeosu semi-submersible submarine sinking operation.

Additionally, the P-3C maritime patrol aircraft was active in humanitarian support operations such as surfacing a Russian Navy submarine during a persistent pursuit while monitoring the 2017 South Korea-U.S. joint exercises, searching for the missing Malaysian passenger plane in May 2014, locating the sunken deep-sea fishing vessel Oryongho in the Sea of Okhotsk in December 2014, and searching for missing persons from an Indonesian passenger plane in January 2015.

Furthermore, the Lynx maritime operation helicopter participated in various real combat experiences and domestic and international humanitarian support missions, including the January 2011 rescue operation of the Samho Jewelry, a Samho Shipping vessel hijacked by Somali pirates, and the 2012 rescue operation of the Gemini crew members.

▲ Smooth progress in introducing new aircraft = The introduction of new aircraft to further enhance operational capabilities is also progressing smoothly. First, six P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, known as 'submarine hunters,' will be sequentially introduced starting at the end of next year. This aircraft can patrol wide maritime areas, detect and attack threats on and under the sea, and perform various missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue.

In particular, compared to the currently operated P-3C, the P-8A has a higher cruising speed, enabling faster mission execution and an extended operational range. It can carry more sonobuoys, which are deployed in the sea to detect submarine acoustic signals, and has enhanced simultaneous target processing and analysis capabilities, improving search abilities. Additionally, it is equipped with a Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) system that uses lasers to jam incoming missile threats, increasing survivability. With the introduction of the P-8A, the maritime patrol aircraft fleet will increase from the current 16 P-3Cs to 22 aircraft, significantly strengthening maritime patrol capabilities.

The new MH-60R maritime operation helicopter will also be sequentially introduced starting in 2024, with 12 units planned. The MH-60R, to be deployed on frigates and larger vessels, is equipped with dipping sonar and sonobuoys connected by wire for underwater deployment, multimode radar, Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensors, torpedoes, and anti-ship missiles. It can attack enemy submarines and ships, conduct search and rescue for maritime distress victims, perform vertical replenishment by transporting various supplies, and support special operations. According to the Navy, compared to the previously introduced AW-159, the MH-60R offers longer operational time, improved armament capacity, and enhanced detection capabilities, further strengthening maritime operation capabilities.

From the late 2020s, mine countermeasure helicopters are also expected to be introduced. According to the Navy, these helicopters will serve as aviation forces that detect and remove mines laid in maritime traffic routes and major ports from the air. Based on excellent mobility and mine countermeasure capabilities, they will be used as core mine countermeasure assets alongside mine countermeasure vessels. Notably, the mine countermeasure helicopters to be introduced will be domestically developed based on the Marine Corps' Marineon amphibious assault helicopter.

Additionally, reconnaissance UAVs for manned-unmanned integrated operations will be introduced from the late 2020s. These reconnaissance UAVs will be deployed on destroyers to conduct integrated operations with existing maritime operation helicopters. The Navy expects that, based on the information collected through these operations, ships will be able to conduct various maritime operations more effectively.

▲ Building strategic assets through light aircraft carrier introduction = In the mid-2030s, a light aircraft carrier, to be utilized as a strategic asset for South Korea, will be introduced. Given the rapidly changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific region due to the recent Ukraine crisis, China's South China Sea territorial claims, and the Taiwan issue, the introduction of a light aircraft carrier operating various aviation forces including fighter jets is expected to play an important role in South Korea's defense and diplomatic policies.

Especially as neighboring countries such as China, Japan, and Russia are focusing on strengthening their maritime forces including aircraft carrier capabilities, the introduction of a light aircraft carrier is expected by the Navy to serve as a core force for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces to enhance autonomous defense capabilities, respond to strategic uncertainties from neighboring countries, and deter conflicts.

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