South Korea has shifted from developing a light aircraft carrier for F-35Bs to a drone-focused command ship, citing cost concerns, changing leadership priorities, and lessons from modern warfare.
In 2021, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) floated plans to invest $1.8 billion in a domestically built light aircraft carrier that could enter service by 2033.
Such a warship could operate with the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, the fifth-generation stealth Joint Strike Fighter’s short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant. There has been speculation that it would displace around 30,000 tons and could also move troops and equipment to address threats around the Korean peninsula.
Featuring a well deck, which could be used to deploy South Korean Marines or Navy personnel for an amphibious landing, it would be similar to the U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ships, albeit smaller in scale.
South Korea’s carrier ambitions haven’t moved forward; Seoul is pivoting significantly this month. Instead of a flattop that can operate with the manned F-35, the Republic of Korea Navy has called for a multi-purpose command and control ship to deploy combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Lessons from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where both sides have employed UAVs to strike enemy vehicles and forward positions, as well as carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance missions, have likely been a significant factor. However, so too has been China’s push to develop hypersonic missiles and other so-called “carrier killer” cruise missiles.
Seoul may have understood that a carrier could be a big target, especially as South Korea would want to keep such a warship close to home, operating in its littoral waters rather than deploying it to the vastness of the Pacific Ocean.
“The A2/AD threat is the primary threat that must be overcome,” Brandon J. Wiechert wrote for The National Interest last year. “The aircraft carrier cannot help to achieve this end. And for South Korea, which is already having trouble fielding its fourth-generation-plus warplane, the KF-21, to think it could reliably produce medium-sized (or larger) aircraft carriers—and maintain them—is ridiculous.”
The New Regime in South Korea Is Not Interested in Aircraft Carriers
The “Multipurpose Large Transport Ship-II” program was initiated by the liberal Moon Jae-in administration, but halted after the conservative Yoon Seok-yeol took office, following criticism that a light carrier would not be cost-effective.
However, the project was never scuttled, and Seoul may still go forward with a 30,000-ton warship that could be used to carry helicopters and serve to launch the UAVs.
The program change could be discussed at the Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting later this month. However, it won’t be as easy as agreeing that the warship will serve as a drone carrier instead of operating with manned fighters.
“In order to change the light aircraft carrier project plan for which a requirement decision has already been made, the Joint Chiefs of Staff must pass a resolution to adjust the requirement, which is expected to happen after the new government takes office,” the South Korean Yonhap News explained.
The CVX-class project was estimated to cost seven trillion won (approximately $5.1 billion), including 2.5 trillion won ($1.8 billion) for the ship and the additional money required for a twenty F-35B Lightning II aircraft fleet.
Without the need for the fifth-gen fighters, the program could save several trillion won, enough that Seoul could opt for two flattops if the warship succeeds.
South Korea and Turkey Share an Aircraft Carrier
South Korea will have a model to follow. NATO member Turkey had initially planned to operate the F-35B from its flagship carrier, TCG Anadolu. Still, after it was ejected from the F-35 program for purchasing the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air-defense system, Ankara was left with a carrier with few options.
“The ship was reconfigured as a drone carrier, now set to operate indigenous UCAVs like the Bayraktar TB3 and Kızılelma. It can also accommodate up to 30 helicopters, including the future TAI T929 ATAK 2,” AeroTime reported.
Without the need to operate with manned aircraft, the construction time and sea trials could also be truncated accordingly.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Shutterstock/ Yuichi Mori Photography.
