[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Reasons Behind the Controversy Over the Introduction of Light Aircraft Carriers

The USS Bonhomme Richard, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship commissioned in August 1988

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Joint Chiefs of Staff plans to finalize the requirement for the Navy's light aircraft carrier (Multipurpose Large Transport Ship-II) on the 30th. If a decision on the requirement (research and development or purchase) for the light aircraft carrier is made at this meeting, the budget will be reflected in next year's five-year Defense Mid-term Plan, and the project will officially begin.

A military official stated, "This afternoon, a Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting will be held under the chairmanship of Chairman Won In-chul, attended by Army Chief of Staff Nam Young-shin, Navy Chief of Staff Boo Seok-jong, Air Force Chief of Staff Lee Seong-yong, and Marine Corps Commander Lee Seung-do, to discuss the direction of the light aircraft carrier project."

The Navy's light aircraft carrier was officially recognized when the Ministry of National Defense incorporated the concept design plan for the "Multipurpose Large Transport Ship-II" in the '2020-2024 Defense Mid-term Plan' last August. Subsequently, the '2021-2025 Defense Mid-term Plan' included plans for concept and basic design last August. The goal is to develop it as a force to counter neighboring countries such as China and Japan beyond North Korea and the Korean Peninsula. The Korean-style light aircraft carrier will be around 30,000 tons, focusing more on aircraft operation capability rather than amphibious landing capability, similar to the U.S. America-class amphibious assault ship (45,000 tons). The military plans to increase the number of Aegis destroyers from three to six and secure six next-generation 6,000-ton destroyers called "Korean-style Aegis" to escort the light aircraft carrier.

However, among the 52.8401 trillion won defense budget approved by the National Assembly on the 2nd for next year, only 100 million won for research service related to the light aircraft carrier construction project was included. This budget was incorporated by the National Assembly's Defense Committee with the intention of holding further discussions and gathering public consensus through future forums. This indicates that concerns about the construction of the light aircraft carrier are quite high.

Inside and outside the military, while there is recognition that a light aircraft carrier is necessary to respond to the naval power of neighboring countries, there are also criticisms that costs, construction technology, and the feasibility of possessing a light aircraft carrier need to be carefully examined.

To operate a light aircraft carrier, a combat group consisting of escort ships and combat ships must be formed, along with submarines and reconnaissance assets to protect them. This is to defend against enemy anti-ship missiles and torpedo attacks. The U.S. nuclear carrier strike group consists of the Nimitz aircraft carrier, cruiser USS Princeton, cruiser USS Chosin, one or two nuclear-powered submarines, and one large logistics support ship. The problem is the cost. The Navy plans to invest 2 trillion won to build the light aircraft carrier and operationalize it by 2033, but considering the maintenance costs of the combat group, it is predicted that three to four times the budget will be required.

Technology is also an issue. The Navy revealed during the National Assembly audit on the 15th that the light aircraft carrier will be designed to carry about 20 F-35B fighters capable of vertical takeoff and landing. For the F-35B to take off and land, a flight deck capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius emitted by the F-35B is required. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration plans to develop this technology domestically, but if the development fails, even the introduction of the F-35B could be canceled. Due to the nature of aircraft carriers, 30% of the fighters wait in the lower deck maintenance hangar. The development of lift technology to move aircraft from the hangar to the flight deck is also uncertain.

Opposition to the introduction of the light aircraft carrier is also emerging mainly in the political sphere. President Moon Jae-in expressed expectations at last year's Armed Forces Day ceremony, mentioning the light aircraft carrier and stating, "With the most advanced defense system, our military will proactively respond to any potential security threats." However, even the ruling party shows skepticism about the necessity of the light aircraft carrier. Ahn Kyu-baek, a member of the National Defense Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out the operational status of the large transport ship Dokdo during the Navy audit and said, "Instead of just thinking about increasing weapon systems like the light aircraft carrier, we should fully utilize the current forces."

The civic group "People Opening Peace and Unification" held a protest last month in front of the Blue House calling for the suspension of the light aircraft carrier construction and F-35B introduction, and plans to hold a one-person protest in front of the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul, on this day. The group stated, "The Joint Chiefs of Staff has finalized the requirement for the aircraft carrier and will hold a Joint Chiefs meeting this afternoon to finalize the requirement related to the vertical takeoff and landing fighter (F-35B) to be deployed on the aircraft carrier," and argued, "The aircraft carrier and F-35B will inevitably be mobilized for the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy," urging the project’s cancellation.