[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] DAPA Holds 'Need for Light Aircraft Carrier' Debate... Why?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) holds a public forum on light aircraft carriers, there are speculations within and outside the military that the project might be pushed recklessly. Even the Navy or the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who should raise the necessity of light aircraft carriers, have not expressed any opinions, yet DAPA, which only needs to decide the project method, is handling the requirement necessity, leading to criticism that it is solely focused on "aligning with the government code."

According to military officials on the 9th, the light aircraft carrier public forum is scheduled to be held on the 19th of this month at the Millennium Hilton Seoul, chaired by Kang Eun-ho, Deputy Director of DAPA. The forum will be attended by representatives from Hyundai Heavy Industries, the Korean Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers, and the Institute for National Security Strategy, among others.

Within the military, questions are raised about why DAPA is discussing the necessity of aircraft carriers and the ripple effects of their construction. The requirement for aircraft carriers should be decided by the Navy or the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who will operate the carriers. DAPA's role is only to decide the project procedures, such as whether to develop domestically or import from abroad, once the requirement is determined.

In his Armed Forces Day speech last year, President Moon Jae-in mentioned ▲ a stronger and more precise missile defense system ▲ new submarines and light aircraft carrier-class amphibious ships ▲ and cutting-edge defense systems including military satellites. Some argue that DAPA is recklessly holding the forum to align with the four core weapon system developments promoted by the current administration.

The Navy currently possesses two large transport ships (14,000-ton class): the Dokdo-class (1st ship) and the Marado-class, which was launched in May last year. The light aircraft carrier-class large transport ship, which will begin conceptual design next year, will be the 3rd ship.

Within the military, there are also complaints that the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to be deployed on the light aircraft carrier has already been decided as the F-35B. It is expected that about 20 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft will be introduced around 2033, coinciding with the construction period of the light aircraft carrier.

Some express concerns that the planned introduction of the F-35A might be delayed or canceled due to the F-35B acquisition. They argue that if the F-35B, which has inferior armament and range capabilities compared to the F-35A, is introduced instead, the Air Force's operational capabilities could be degraded. Previously, the government planned to operationalize 40 F-35A aircraft under the first phase of the next-generation fighter (FX) project and to further operationalize next-generation fighters through the second phase project starting next year. It is highly likely that 20 F-35A aircraft will be introduced in the second phase.

In response, the military emphasized that the introduction of vertical takeoff and landing fighters is proceeding independently from the FX second phase project. If both the FX second phase project and the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft acquisition proceed normally, the military will operate about 80 F-35 fighters in total.

Previously, during the tenure of former Defense Minister Song Young-moo at the end of 2017, research on constructing a large transport ship equipped with F-35B began. On August 10 last year, DAPA announced a research service bid titled "Modification and Refurbishment Study for Operating Future Aircraft (F-35B) on LPH (Large Transport Ship)." At that time, it was judged that about six F-35Bs could be sufficiently operated on the Large Transport Ship-II, and the research service proceeded but later fizzled out.