(See) Südkoreas CVX-Projekt

[Schneemann]

Nachdem es im Oktober und November Hinweis gab, dass Südkoreas ambitioniertem Flugzeugträgerprojekt die finanzielle Grundlage entzogen werden könnte, hat man sich nun anscheinend doch auf die Finanzierung geeinigt.

Unter der Bezeichnung CVX (vormals LPX) wird das Projekt eines leichten Trägers von vermutlich um die 260 Metern Länge, 28 Knoten Geschwindigkeit und 45.000 ts Verdrängung zusammengefasst. Nach bisherigen Modellen und Renderings zu urteilen, wird es sich wohl um einen Zwei-Insel-Typ handeln, ähnlich wie die Queen Elizabeth-Klasse. Bezüglich der Ausstattung wird meistens von bis zu 20 Kampfjets (vermutlich F-35) und 10-15 Helikoptern berichtet.

South Korea’s CVX Aircraft Carrier Project Secures Last Minute Funding

The National Assembly approved KRW 54.6 trillion (around USD 6.1 billion) for the defence budget in fiscal year 2022, a 3.4% increase from last year, at the December 3 plenary session. The Democratic party, which holds a majority of seats in the National Assembly, unanimously passed the new budget including funding requested by the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) for CVX next year. [...] Nevertheless, the KRW 7.2 billion (around USD 6.1 million) requested by the government for CVX development was approved after heated debates. KRW 6.2 billion (around USD 5.2 million) was allocated for preliminary design of CVX, KRW 0.85 billion (around USD 0.72 million) for aircraft-related expenses, and a further KRW 0.99 billion (around USD 0.84 million) for other CVX-related expenses. [...]

The government had initially requested KRW 55.3 trillion (around USD 46.7 billion) for the defence budget in 2022. Despite gaining approval for CVX, funding for acquisition of new platforms was cut by KRW 644.5 billion (around USD 544 million). Several other ROKN programs have also been affected.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...e-funding/

Schneemann

[TobyR]

National Assembly member Shin Won-sik was quoted as saying:
“Light aircraft carriers are unnecessary in our security environment. The light carrier gives us no substantive advantage in terms of military strategy and operations; the carrier will be nothing more than a ‘money-eating hippopotamus’.”

Das dürfte wohl ziemlich ins Schwarze treffen. Ohne zu zynisch zu werden: Der eigentlich Grund dafür, dass Südkorea diesen Träger beschaffen wird, dürfte wohl sein, dass Japan in Zeitkürze ebenfalls wieder Träger (in Form der Izumo-Klasse) betreiben wird. Also braucht Korea auch einen. Aber "biggerer and betterer!"

[Schneemann]

Ich denke auch, dass der Träger an sich eher eine Art Prestigevorhaben im Kontext der wachsenden Spannungen in Asien darstellt (also mehr Verhandlungs- bzw. Druckmasse als nutzbringendes militärisches Gerät), allerdings glaube ich weniger, dass der Gedanke dabei in Richtung Japan zielt, sondern dass es eher mit China zu tun hat. Bleibt allerdings die Frage, ob ein solches Schiff in den Gewässern um Korea wirklich von Vorteil ist. Mit einem 260-Meter-Kahn im Süd- oder Ostchinesischen Meer herumzudampfen, und dies, wo doch die Küstenlinien recht nahe sind und erhebliche Kapazitäten an ASMs reihum zur Verfügung stehen, kann sogar eher das Risiko eines "prestigeträchtigen" Verlustes in sich tragen...

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

ROK Navy’s New CNO Committed To CVX Program

Admiral Kim Jung-soo has been appointed the 35th Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy. Kim took over command from Admiral Boo Suk-jong on December 16. The new CNO expressed his support for the CVX aircraft carrier program. [...]

“Because light aircraft carriers are a national strategic asset and the culmination of joint operations doctrine, we shall continue to push forward with the program...” (Admiral Kim Jung-soo, ROK Navy CNO). [...]

Despite Kim’s enthusiasm, he is likely to face an uphill battle. Public opinion against the CVX program and resistance in the National Assembly will need to be overcome if the ROK Navy is to bring the plan to fruition. The ROK Navy just barely secured funds for CVX development in fiscal year 2022 earlier this month.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...x-program/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Babcock and DSME to integrate systems for South Korean vessels

The companies will also explore opportunities to expand their partnership in the future.

The South Korean branch of engineering services company Babcock has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) to support the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) future vessels. [...] The Daewoo-Babcock partnership comes after Babcock and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) signed an MoU last year to support the South Korean Navy’s future light carrier vessel (CVX) project. [...] “Working alongside our CVX partner HHI, we will combine our experience across design and build and technology integration to build innovative systems integration solutions for vessels above and below the waterline.”

https://www.naval-technology.com/news/ba...dsme-rokn/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Nun, so ganz richtig wird man mit dem neuen Konzept noch nicht warm...

South Korea’s Next Defense Minister Expresses Reservations On CVX Program

Lee Jong-seop, a member of the Presidential Transition Committee's foreign and security policy team and the incoming President Yoon Suk-yeol's nominee for the Minister of National Defense, expressed reservations about the South Korean aircraft carrier or CVX program on April 25 when asked by National Defense Committee member Kang Daesik. [...]

“There are diverse opinions on the CVX program. I think we need to carefully evaluate our priorities by taking into account several factors including strategic and tactical operational doctrines, military requirements, national interest, and cost efficiency,” (Lee Jong-seop, Incoming Minister of National Defense) [...]

The CVX program has been a subject of great controversy over the past few months. Funding for the program was axed last November, only to be revived unilaterally by the ruling party the month after. The incoming President is a member of the People Power Party, the program’s harshest critic in the National Assembly. Therefore, the CVX program will likely face more hurdles in the coming years.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...x-program/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Nach dem Wechsel im Präsidentenamt Anfang Mai hat es den Eindruck, dass ausgerechnet der konservative neue Präsident, Yoon Suk-yeol, der durchaus scharfe Töne gegenüber dem Norden anschlug, mit dem CVX so seine Probleme hat. Bereits davor hatte es bereits gekriselt, was die Unterstützung für das Milliardenvorhaben angeht.

Prospect: CVX And K-SSN In South Korea’s New Administration [...]

So far, pro-CVX experts emphasize the need for Korean aircraft carriers due to the growing importance of maritime security near the surrounding waters of South Korea, areas of conflict including the South China Sea, and Japan’s territorial claim over Dokdo, the side anti-CVX argues the absurdity of the aircraft carrier given the neighboring states’ naval power, consuming costs and time of developing it. [...]

Most importantly, the prospect for the ambitious CVX of the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) has become dimmer and dimmer now. As the presidential election on March 9th, this year elected the conservative candidate Suk-yeol Yoon of the People Power Party (PPP) as the new president after the liberal Moon administration, the CVX project that has faced harsh criticism seems to become closer to the end. [...]

When Cheol-soo Ahn, the current chairman of the Yoon’s presidential transition team, agreed to the single candidacy with Yoon during the presidential race, Ahn said, “There would be synergy to create a better solution for South Korea if we could discuss what is more necessary between a light aircraft carrier and a highly functional fighter jet.” This gives more weight to the acquisition of fighter jets such as F-35 and KF-21, rather than an aircraft carrier. Yoon’s nominee for his first Defense Minister and the former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), the retired Lieutenant General Jong-sup Lee also showed his prudence by answering, “I’m aware that there are different opinions on the ROKN’s ambition for the CVX project.”, when asked about his view on the CVX project. [...]

However, the project once considered the ‘VIP agenda’ by the liberal party is unlikely to gain momentum in the Yoon administration. A well-informed source in the Korean military told, “As the ruling party unilaterally pushed the budget plan last year, the new government and the People Power Party could say they will not succeed in the CVX project initiated by the previous Moon government.” [...]

The war in Ukraine proved that a military that is capable of carrying out combat duties is more effective than a gigantic army that possesses technically new and advanced weapons. Applied this lesson to the ROK Navy, Yoon may prefer exerting current military capabilities to the maximum than acquiring eye-catchy assets such as a light aircraft carrier, by reinforcing the number of ship crews, a stockpile of ammunition, and precision-guided weapons, enabling maintenance of more often, and rescheduling the anchoring period of ships, etc.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...istration/

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

South Korea’s New F-35A Purchase May Kill CVX Program

Several local media outlets reported that the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) plan to acquire additional F-35As, which had been delayed due to the priority given to South Korea’s aircraft carrier program or CVX, has gained traction under the new administration. [...]

Some are saying that the move raises doubts about the future of the CVX program. If confirmed, the plan will see the ROKAF invest ₩ 3.9 trillion, or around $ 3 billion, to acquire 20 additional F-35As from 2023 to the late 2020s. DAPA is expected to finalize the decision later this month. The new development comes four years after the ROKAF first proposed the plan in 2018. The plans were struck down at the time due to the focus given on purchasing F-35Bs for CVX. [...]

Several key members of the Yoon administration, including the Minister of National Defense, have expressed reservations about the aircraft carrier program. Experts say that the new administration’s emphasis on countering North Korea’s missile and nuclear capabilities contributed to the decision to approve the ROKAF plan.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...vx-program

Schneemann

[Schneemann]

Das scheint es wohl nun gewesen zu sein...

CVX Reportedly Left Out Of South Korea’s 2023 Defense Budget

Dong-A Ilbo, a major South Korean newspaper, reported on August 26th that funding for CVX, the country’s aircraft carrier program, has been axed in the 2023 national defense budget. [...] According to the report, which has since been deleted, the tentative budget for 2023 makes no mention of CVX at all, effectively putting an end to the program for the foreseeable future. Other articles released by major domestic news outlets at around the same time did not specifically mention the budget itself, but still cast doubt on the program. Chosun Ilbo reported that CVX is facing a “reevaluation.” [...]

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s new government has been less enthusiastic, postponing the bidding process for the ship which had been scheduled for earlier this year. In July, the government confirmed that themilitary will acquire 20 more F-35As, rather than the short takeoff and vertical landing-capable F-35B, putting the future of the program in question.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...se-budget/

Schneemann