Navy to Pursue Acquisition of 30,000-Ton Drone Carrier by Late 2030s

Yoo Yongwon of the People Power Party:
"A New Strategic Alternative"

As the Navy is moving to acquire a 'drone aircraft carrier' instead of a light aircraft carrier, it is predicted that the vessel will be built to a displacement of around 30,000 tons, with construction costs estimated to reach the mid-to-high 2 trillion won range.

On the morning of July 8, Representative Yoo Yongwon of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, revealed these details at a seminar held at the National Assembly, based on the Navy's "Multi-purpose Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MuM-T) Carrier Acquisition Plan."

According to Representative Yoo, the Navy plans to organize three command ships capable of carrying both manned and unmanned aircraft, three mobile fleets under the Mobile Fleet Command, and to form three manned-unmanned maritime combat groups or manned-unmanned amphibious assault groups by integrating manned and unmanned assets.

The command ships will consist of one manned-unmanned power command ship currently being pursued for construction, as well as three ships including the Dokdo and Marado. The manned-unmanned power command ship is being pursued through an adjustment of requirements from the previous light aircraft carrier construction project. Its standard displacement is expected to be around 30,000 tons, with construction costs estimated in the mid-to-high 2 trillion won range. The design and construction are expected to take about 11 years, with the goal of deployment in the late 2030s. In addition, the Dokdo and Marado will undergo performance upgrades to enable unmanned aerial vehicle takeoff and landing.

Regarding the onboard aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles will primarily be acquired through domestic research and development, while amphibious maneuver and attack helicopters will consist of the Marineon and Marineon-based attack helicopters. Personnel will be secured through the automation of radar bases and the conversion of security personnel to civilian roles. The Navy stated that funding can be secured through future available defense capability improvement budgets.

Representative Yoo stated, "The construction of a Korean-style drone carrier based on advanced manned-unmanned complex systems is a key pillar of future naval innovation and a new strategic alternative," adding, "An aircraft carrier operating multiple unmanned aircraft instead of manned aircraft is not only cost-effective but also serves as a highly significant power platform capable of flexibly responding to future battlefield environments."