[Military Story] Naval Forces Suitable for a Great Ocean Navy to Be Introduced

Large Transport Ships and Joint Firepower Ships Should Be Introduced
Urgent Introduction of Upgraded SM-6 Capable of Intercepting Hypersonic Missiles Needed

"If you want peace, prepare for war." This is a saying left by Vegetius, a strategist of the Roman Empire. It is a famous quote that highlights the importance of deterrence in war. The navy has also avoided building a blue-water navy to dominate maritime power. A blue-water navy refers to a navy capable of conducting operations not only in coastal waters but also in the open ocean to protect national interests and support national policies. On April 1, 1995, former Chief of Naval Operations Ahn Byung-tae first advocated the "preparation for building a blue-water navy" in his inaugural speech, and the Naval Headquarters established the concept of a "blue-water navy" with Korean characteristics that same year. This was because, given Korea’s geographical characteristics surrounded by sea on three sides, it was well aware of the importance of coastal defense as well as the sea.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Military capabilities were also strengthened. The construction of Aegis destroyers and large transport ships was promoted. Plans were made to possess combat ships of destroyer class or higher, an adequate number of submarines, maritime operational aircraft, as well as amphibious ships and mobile logistics support ships capable of independent operations in the open ocean for extended periods. However, after the Cheonan sinking incident, the navy decided not to use the term "blue-water navy" anymore due to criticism such as "How can you talk about a blue-water navy when you cannot even protect the coastal waters?" The situation has changed. Building a blue-water navy is inevitable to dominate maritime power. A representative example is the rescue of hostages from the Samho Jewelry ship by the Cheonghae Unit. The political sphere also urgently recognizes the necessity of a blue-water navy and has proposed strengthening naval power.

In 2020, the military proposed advanced warships in the "2020-2024 Defense Mid-term Plan." It decided to proceed with the construction of a Korean-style "Arsenal Ship" joint fire support ship and a large transport ship of light aircraft carrier class capable of carrying F-35B stealth fighters.

The joint fire support ship, to be built at 4,000 to 5,000 tons, will carry a large number of precision-guided missiles including surface-to-surface missiles, earning it the nickname "floating missile ammunition depot." By continuously deploying the joint fire support ship in the West Sea or East Sea, it can be used as a deterrent force against North Korean provocations. It is a ship prepared to retaliate at sea in the early stages of war in case key allied military facilities on land are damaged by enemy missile attacks. This means North Korea cannot launch a preemptive strike without being prepared to face concentrated fire of over 100 rounds from the joint fire support ship. A military official said, "The joint fire support ship is mainly used to support ground fire operations by carrying a large number of surface-to-surface missiles," adding, "The goal is to build two to three joint fire support ships."

Last April, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) was selected as the concept design contractor for the joint fire support ship. Concept design is a basic design phase. If the project is deemed feasible after this design, construction will proceed.

In June of the same year, at the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) held in Busan, Hanwha Ocean showcased a model of the joint fire support ship. The model revealed at that time had a full load displacement of 8,000 tons, length of 150 meters, width of 20 meters, and depth of 9.5 meters. The model was shown without the main gun. To counter drone attacks, the installation of laser weapons is being considered, and the design minimizes radar cross-section. The focus is on ship stability for missile operations and securing joint engagement capability. The bow is equipped with the Korean Vertical Launch System (KVLS)-I, which can carry Haegung fleet air defense missiles or Hong Sang-eo anti-submarine torpedoes. The bridge has 48 cells installed. It is expected to carry KVLS-II for surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, Haegung fleet air defense missiles, or Hong Sang-eo anti-submarine torpedoes. Behind that, a cylindrical vertical launch tube for long-range surface-to-surface missile launches can be installed. The military plans to equip the joint fire support ship with Hyunmoo-5 missiles, which are scheduled to be deployed starting this year. However, during the project, the types and quantities of missiles and equipment locations may change.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The development of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles has already begun. In March, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) held the 160th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee chaired by Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, where the basic plan for the development of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile system was reviewed and approved. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) is leading the research and development, and defense contractors are responsible for prototype production. A total of 680 billion KRW will be invested in development and mass production by 2036. The surface-to-surface ballistic missile will be mounted sequentially from the end of this year on three Jeongjo-class Aegis destroyers, tasked with striking strategic targets across North Korea such as ballistic missile bases, underground bunkers, and war command centers. This adds a new method of attacking North Korea’s interior from the East Sea, beyond the existing ballistic missile attack method of launching from south of the Demilitarized Zone toward the north, thereby increasing North Korea’s burden.

Interceptor missiles will also be procured from overseas. It was reported that the U.S. government tentatively approved last year the sale of SM-6 fleet air defense interceptor missiles to the Republic of Korea Navy through Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The government requested the purchase of up to 38 SM-6 interceptor missiles with a maximum range of over 400 km. The SM-6 has a maximum range exceeding 400 km and can track targets directly with its own radar. It can intercept ballistic missiles, aircraft, ships, and cruise missiles. It is also known to be capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles (in upgraded versions). The U.S. Navy set a record in January 2016 by successfully intercepting a missile at the longest distance ever. In July of the same year, an SM-6 launched from a ground test facility successfully destroyed a target guided by an F-35B stealth fighter equipped with a multifunction advanced data link. In December of that year, it is also reported to have succeeded in a sea-based interception test against medium-range ballistic missiles with ranges of 3,000 to 4,000 km. Military experts analyze that this was to demonstrate interception capabilities against China’s DF-21D and DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles.

The introduction of SM-6 is significant as it is one of the three pillars of the Korean-style triad system, along with the kill chain that preemptively strikes when North Korea attempts to launch nuclear or missile attacks, and the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) that retaliates if North Korea attacks with nuclear or missile weapons. The military authorities believe that introducing SM-6 will enable a denser maritime air defense network, significantly enhancing the ability to respond to North Korean ballistic and cruise missiles. The SM-6 is expected to be first deployed on the state-of-the-art Jeongjo-class Aegis destroyer. The SM-6 is manufactured by Raytheon in the U.S. It can strike targets 240 to 460 km away for aircraft and ships, and intercept ballistic missiles flying in from tens of kilometers away at altitudes up to 35 km. The SM-6 is 6.55 meters long, 34 cm in diameter (booster diameter 53 cm), weighs 1,506 kg, and has a maximum speed of Mach 3.5.

A military source said, "For now, it will be introduced and mounted as an interceptor missile to protect naval vessels," adding, "However, the emphasis on the necessity of introduction should be placed on the fact that the upgraded SM-6 will have the capability to intercept hypersonic missiles in the future."