On December 12th, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense outlined its plans for the 2024-2028 period in the Mid-term Defense Blueprint, committing to spend nearly 266 billion USD to maintain and enhance the country’s defense capabilities. This initiative is a response to North Korea’s escalating military threats, exemplified by its recent launch of its first military spy satellite, prompting Seoul to seek ways to strengthen its defense capabilities.
Most of the programs highlighted in the blueprint are centered on completing the Korean Three-Axis System. This system includes the Kill Chain for detection and preemptive strikes, the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) for intercepting enemy missiles, and the Korea Massive Punishment & Retaliation (KMPR) for second strikes against enemy command and key facilities. While the Korean CVX project has received significant attention over the last five years, the absence of a detailed plan or timeline in the blueprint returns these projects to square one, leaving the future of the CVX uncertain.
Challenges for the Korean aircraft carrier program
According to the South Korean Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the government’s budget proposal for the next year submitted to the National Assembly does not include a budget for the CVX program. Although the Blueprint states that the CVX project will be pursued, it is accompanied by a clause stipulating further discussion based on the results of the ongoing research which results are expected early next year.
The key focus of the research is to explore the feasibility and associated costs of equipping the aircraft carrier with the KF-21N, a naval variant of the indigenous KF-21 fighter developed and undergoing final tests at the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). Since the KF-21 has not yet completed its test flights, and recent feasibility study suggesting cut in initial production volume, it is reasonable to assume that developing the KF-21N will involve more time and costs than previously expected.
Delay from developing the KF-21N is not the only problem. An official from the Ministry of National Defense, in an interview with local media, emphasized that the biggest obstacle facing the CVX project is its cost. The estimated cost of building the carrier alone stands at least at 1.9 billion USD. This figure significantly escalates when adding the costs of fighter jets and helicopters, destroyers to escort the carrier, early warning aircraft, and military logistics support ships, with the total easily surpassing 7.7 billion USD. Moreover, the issue regarding feasibility of building a carrier remains a challenge to be addressed. Since its introduction in 2020, CVX program have failed to provide a clear and convincing explanation to the public about why the carrier is necessary in solving national defense issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula.
Lastly, the recently appointed Minister of National Defense, Shin Won-sik, is known for his skeptical stance on the CVX project. During his tenure as a member of the National Assembly, Shin argued that a light aircraft carrier is impractical for responding to North Korean threats. Instead, he advocated for a focus on building more advanced destroyers and submarines. This suggests that the CVX program may not align with the current national defense strategy, which is increasingly concerned with countering the growing North Korean nuclear and military threat.
CVX at MADEX 2023
At this year’s MADEX 2023, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) showcased its newly designed CVX-3 model. This model is distinct from the CVX-2 model displayed at MADEX 2021, which featured a ski jump short takeoff system. The CVX-3 has adopted the CATOBAR system and displayed a mock model of the KF-21N, which is currently under research.
The CVX-3 model proposed a carrier with a minimum displacement of 40,000 tons, allowing for the inclusion of EMALS and AAG systems onboard. However, to be fully equipped with additional required systems, the carrier is expected to have a displacement of up to 70,000 tons and a length of 270 meters. The new CVX-3 model showed dual island bridge and includes a docking well capable of deploying USV and UUV.
