Strengthening the 3-Axis System Instead of the Moon Jae-in Government's Light Aircraft Carrier Project

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The military authorities have decided to increase the investment budget for the Korean-style 3-axis system next year to respond to the advanced North Korean nuclear and missile threats. However, the budget related to the construction of the light aircraft carrier (30,000-ton class), which was a key project promoted during the Moon Jae-in administration to prepare for maritime expansion by neighboring countries, was not reflected at all in next year's budget, putting the light aircraft carrier project at a crossroads.

The government announced on the 30th that it has prepared a defense budget of 57.1268 trillion won for 2023 and will submit it to the National Assembly on the 2nd of next month. This is an increase of 2.5156 trillion won (4.6%) compared to this year's main budget of 54.6112 trillion won. Next year's defense budget consists of 17.0179 trillion won for defense capability improvement (a 2.0% increase) and 40.1089 trillion won for operational expenses (a 5.8% increase).

Regarding the light aircraft carrier (30,000-ton class) construction project promoted by the Moon Jae-in administration, the carrier-based aircraft considered included the F-35B, which can perform vertical takeoff and landing. However, last month, the military confirmed the additional purchase of 20 F-35A stealth fighters, effectively canceling the introduction of the F-35B. The additional acquisition of the F-35A was also decided to strengthen the North Korea ‘Kill Chain’ capability and is interpreted as being prioritized over the carrier-based aircraft project related to the light aircraft carrier.

The light aircraft carrier project became visible during the Moon Jae-in administration as part of advocating self-reliant defense, but under the new administration, the military has set a policy to prioritize investment in the Korean-style 3-axis system?comprising the Kill Chain, Korean Missile Defense (KAMD), and Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR)?and manned-unmanned combined combat systems.

According to the government plan, the budget for the Korean-style 3-axis system to respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats is set at 5.2549 trillion won, a 9.4% increase compared to this year.

This budget will strengthen the 3-axis system capabilities, which consist of the Kill Chain, including medium- and high-altitude reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (124.9 billion won); Korean Missile Defense (KAMD), including the second phase of Patriot performance upgrades (129.2 billion won) and long-range artillery interception systems (76.9 billion won); and Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR), including 230mm multiple rocket launchers (41.7 billion won), large transport helicopters-II (350.7 billion won), and the deployment of the 3,000-ton Jangbogo-III submarine batch-I (248.6 billion won). For strengthening operational response capabilities, 6.6447 trillion won will be invested, including the third batch production of K2 tanks (178.8 billion won), deployment of the 3,000-ton next-generation Ulsan-class frigate batch-III (429.5 billion won), and securing combat reserve ammunition (974.9 billion won).

The budget for manned-unmanned combined combat systems includes 166 billion won for research and development of unmanned reconnaissance vehicles and 68.3 billion won for strengthening space and cyber reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, including 27 billion won for micro-satellite systems and 39.8 billion won for the military Korean satellite navigation system. Core technology enhancement will receive 1.3959 trillion won, including 14.6 billion won for hypersonic vehicle design and propulsion technology, 15.4 billion won for stealth unmanned swarm aircraft technology and prototype development, and 1.5 billion won for intelligent threat equipment identification system development.

Budgets for the relocation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff due to the presidential office’s move to Yongsan or the integrated relocation of the Ministry of National Defense were not included. The Ministry of National Defense explained that the relocation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff requires prior preparation and is not a situation to reflect the budget immediately, and that the Ministry of National Defense relocation will be carried out by adjusting this year’s available budget.

Meanwhile, while the overall government expenditure growth rate decreases from 8.9% this year to 5.2% next year, the defense budget growth rate rises from 3.4% to 4.6%. This growth rate is the second highest among the 12 central government expenditure sectors excluding local allocation tax and education grants, following diplomacy and unification (7.3%). The Ministry of National Defense stated, "Considering the severe security situation, the government has allocated resources to the defense sector despite the strong fiscal soundness policy."

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