It took 5 months to create the video, according to the local media. The ROK Navy released the video on its official YouTube channel and website.
The Korean Navy explained that the video was made to help the citizens’ understanding of CVX as a future joint force and to create a national consensus on the necessity of a Korean aircraft carrier.
The six-minute-long video shows a CVX flotilla comprised of current Sejong the Great-class Aegis destroyers (KDX III), new combat support ships, Dosan Ahn Changho-class submarines (KSS III), next-generation destroyers (KDDX) and STOVL fighter jets and E-737 of the ROK Air Force.
The video mainly demonstrated a joint operation at sea. An aircraft carrier strike group departed from a homeport and F-35 VTOL fighter jets took off from the flight deck of CVX, striking land-based targets.
The local press interpreted that the Navy released the CVX video strategically to foster a favorable public opinion towards the Korean aircraft carrier project. Nonetheless, controversy has been constant because of concerns of doubtful military efficiency compared to fixed costs and vulnerability to hostile hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
The ROK Navy plans to acquire a 30,000 tons light aircraft carrier by 2033, to strengthen deterrence against North Korea and to protect the sea lines of communication (SLOC). In regard to this, the ROK Ministry of National Defense included 7.2 billion KRW in the defense budget.
For the record, local shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) recently revealed a mockup of its proposed CVX design during MADEX 2021 in Busan, in June 2021. HHI’s carrier design is characterized by its ski jump deck and the expanded size of the flight deck. HHI’s competitor for the CVX project, DSME, signed a similar alliance with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri during MADEX 2021.