Three Major Issues of Light Aircraft Carrier-Based Aircraft

Key Factors: Determining Aircraft Types, Required Elements, and Operating Entities for Light Aircraft Carriers

Italy Navy's Cavour-class aircraft carrier

F-35B operated by the US Navy

[Monthly Aviation Editor-in-Chief Kim Jae-han] Our Navy's aviation power, which is inferior to the naval aviation forces of neighboring countries such as Japan and China, is expected to be significantly strengthened with the introduction of light aircraft carriers. The Ministry of National Defense announced on August 9th the '2021-2025 Defense Mid-term Plan,' stating that it will actively pursue the light aircraft carrier acquisition project starting next year to protect the waters near the Korean Peninsula and the maritime traffic routes in the open sea. Notably, the Ministry of National Defense officially changed the term from "multi-purpose large transport ship," used in the 2020-2024 Defense Mid-term Plan, to "light aircraft carrier" in this mid-term plan.

▲Navy envisions a 30,000-ton class light aircraft carrier= Generally, aircraft carriers are classified into large carriers over 70,000 tons, medium carriers over 40,000 tons, and light carriers under 40,000 tons. Among these, light carriers have relatively lower operating and maintenance costs compared to medium and large carriers, making them operable even without being a so-called "superpower." However, even light carriers require operating costs several times higher than those of general warships?at least three to four times, and up to ten times more?necessitating strong national financial support.

The domestically produced light aircraft carrier announced by the Ministry of National Defense is about 30,000 tons. This is nearly twice the approximately 19,000-ton class Dokdo and Marado ships introduced by the Navy and is similar in size to major light carriers currently operated worldwide. These include Spain's Juan Carlos I, Italy's Cavour, Australia's Canberra and Adelaide, and Japan's Izumo, all with displacements around 27,000 to 28,000 tons.

By looking at the size of these light carriers, one can roughly estimate the scale of the domestically produced light aircraft carrier to be introduced by our military. For example, in May, the Italian Navy's Cavour, modified for F-35B operations, measures 244 meters in length, 39 meters in width, has a crew of about 1,100, and a full load displacement of about 30,000 tons. In terms of full load displacement alone, it is practically similar in scale to the light aircraft carrier our military plans to acquire. Notably, the Cavour can carry about 20 aircraft in its hangar, including 10 F-35Bs and AV-8Bs and 12 helicopters, and can additionally park six fighter jets on the flight deck as needed.

▲Type of vertical takeoff and landing fighter= As this will be the first aircraft carrier introduced by South Korea, there is growing interest in which fighter jets will be deployed. The Ministry of National Defense has officially stated that no specific model has been decided yet, but most experts predict the adoption of the F-35B. This is because, aside from the aging AV-8B, the F-35B is virtually the only vertical takeoff and landing fighter currently operable for light carriers.

In particular, a 2018 research project commissioned by the Navy titled "Modification and Refurbishment Study for Large Amphibious Ship (LPH) Future Aircraft (F-35B) Deployment and Operation" set the F-35B as the deployed aircraft, including securing F-35B technical data, cases of modification and refurbishment for F-35B deployment, and reviewing the feasibility of modification and refurbishment for F-35B deployment and operation on large amphibious ships. Furthermore, major light carriers worldwide, including Japan, have recently adopted the F-35B, making its adoption the most likely.

At least two light aircraft carriers needed to counter naval forces of neighboring countries around the Korean Peninsula
F-35B is the most likely candidate deployed on major light carriers worldwide
Operational method: Navy operates the carrier, Air Force operates the fighters

▲Required fighter strength= Although the decision to introduce aircraft carriers has been made, specific operational plans such as the number of carriers and the scale of air power have not yet been disclosed. However, considering that neighboring countries such as China, Japan, and Russia are strengthening their carrier forces and that the Navy's operational waters are gradually expanding, the scale of operation appears to be an important factor to consider.

Among Asian countries, China is focusing most on carrier power. It currently operates its first carrier, the Liaoning, and commissioned its second carrier, the 70,000-ton Shandong, which was independently built, in December last year. Notably, the Shandong is expected to carry a stealth drone called "Lijian," attracting attention from defense officials. Moreover, the Chinese Navy is expected to possess four carriers, including plans to introduce nuclear-powered carriers capable of carrying more fighter jets than current carriers.

Japan is also strengthening its carrier forces. Currently operating the 19,000-ton helicopter destroyers Hyuga (DDH-181) and Ise (DDH-181), Japan plans to convert two 27,000-ton multi-purpose destroyers, Izumo (DDH-183) and Kaga (DDH-184), into light carriers equipped with F-35Bs by 2023. Additionally, Japan is reportedly planning to build a 50,000-ton carrier named 'Hosho' following the Izumo-class carriers.

Military experts predict that if the carrier forces of these neighboring countries operate in waters around South Korea, the operational activities of our Navy could be constrained. Therefore, voices are emerging that at least two light aircraft carriers are necessary.

In this regard, the Korea Maritime Strategy Institute's report titled "Long-term Development Plan for the Korean Navy to Secure Blue-Water Operational Capability" suggests that at least two carriers should be possessed to maintain and secure the mobilization capability of the mobile unit. It also points out that the air power should be able to operate 20 to 30 manned and unmanned fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters per carrier, equivalent to two air squadrons. Particularly, the report includes the opinion that the fighter strength for air defense and anti-ship combat missions in blue-water operations should be at least one air squadron, i.e., more than 10 aircraft per carrier.

▲Operator of the fighters= Who operates the fighters is also an important consideration. Aircraft carriers are weapon systems where ship operation and fighter operation are intricately linked. Each operator requires advanced operational skills and know-how. Among these, ship operation is currently evaluated as capable since the Navy operates the Dokdo, which is similar to a light aircraft carrier, but experience in operating carrier-based fighters is virtually nonexistent.

Given this situation, there is likely to be future debate about the operator of the fighters. Generally, it is argued that the Air Force, which has advanced fighter operation capabilities, is suitable, but there are also many claims that the Air Force is unsuitable because the operational environment is a ship and the sea. However, it is also true that it would be a heavy burden for the Navy to secure all personnel and budgets for operating not only the carrier but also the fighters.

Among military experts, a joint forces system is frequently mentioned. That is, the Navy operates the carrier, and the Air Force operates the fighters deployed on the carrier. The Korea Maritime Strategy Institute's "Long-term Development Plan for the Korean Navy to Secure Blue-Water Operational Capability" also proposes introducing an additional 20 F-35s as F-35B/C variants for the Air Force, which can be dispatched or assigned to the Navy and placed under the command and control of the light aircraft carrier when performing blue-water operations, including maritime traffic route defense.

In fact, this approach was also reviewed in a preliminary study conducted last year by the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA) for additional F-35 acquisition. However, the conclusion was to additionally acquire the same F-35A. This decision is reportedly due to the light aircraft carrier being launched in the early 2030s, the different operational concepts and environments of maritime operations and ships, and the burden of establishing new bases.