An illustration of South Korea's planned aircraft carrier from the Ministry of Defense.
CNN: As tensions rise in Asia Pacific, South Korea is building its first aircraft carrier ... complete with US-made fighter jets
Seoul, South Korea (CNN)South Korea plans to start building its first aircraft carrier next year, and acquire fighter jets to operate on it, the country's Defense Ministry has announced.
Last year, South Korea hinted at its interest in an aircraft carrier, saying it would build a "multi-purpose large transport vessel." But in its national plan for 2021-2025, published this week, the government for the first time explicitly committed to building the billion-dollar equipment.
"The 30,000-ton level aircraft carrier can transport military forces, equipment and materials and can operate fighter jets that are capable of vertical take-off and landing," said the Defense Ministry release.
"It will enable the military to more effectively suppress threats and dispatch forces and materials to a disputed region in the sea by playing a role of a controlling vessel for the navy unit."
It is expected South Korea will purchase US-made F-35B fighter jets, which have short takeoff and vertical landing capability, compatible with a small aircraft carrier. F-35Bs are the only short take-off and vertical landing fighter jets in production in the world.
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WNU Editor: These ships are not cheap, and purchasing/maintaining the jet aircraft that will be on these ships will cost a fortune. South Korea is not a maritime power, and its boundaries can be easily defended from airbases on land. So you have to wonder why they want to spend money on this project.
7 comments:
For the alliance against the country that poisons the world, bullies its neighbours, steals from us all and puts people into trains. And Russia will join too. You know it, I know it.
And a country will find its ambition useless theough military build ups. and they will realized it will be better to be friendly and forget being selfish.
Japanese, American and a South Korean carrier fleet is large enough to soak up a Chinese missile barrage and return the favor and sweep the South China Sea.
Korean Land based aircraft can't really operate in the South China Sea.
If you are going to put a n aggressor in check they have to lose some combination of land, people, or military power IOT to get them to the table.
It is not like if China starts something that the Koreans could take Manchuria to force the Chinese to the peace table.
China can build but ultraviolet, corrosion, and time are big enemies. China had a great fleet during the Ming. They could not hold it. Rinse and repeat.
The confrontation they’re planning on is with Japan. Check out Michael Yon’s work on this. Tensions are high. If it comes to a fight, South Korea can’t currently take the fight to Japan. This is a step in that direction.
You are probably right. Korea pulled out of a air defense coordination agreement with Japan about a year ago.
I am reminded that, when Hitler took the Sudentenland, Poland took Teschen. Smooth move?
"Cieszyn and Český Těšín were merged again in October 1938 when Poland annexed the Zaolzie area together with Český Těšín."
Poland and Czechoslovakia squabbled and the rest is history.
I think a joint corporation 50/50 split would solve any fisheries, sea bed rights
South Korea sees Japan as it's greatest threat, far greater than North Korea, which is viewed as wayward cousins. China is seen as an ally, despite or because of their support for North Korea.
This comes from thousands of years of Korea being a vassal kingdom of China, while Japan has seen Korea as their launching ground to invade China, and buffer.
Japan is building Carriers to defend themselves from China. South Korea wants a carrier to defend themselves from Japan.
There is zero chance that Korea will work in any alliance against China if it includes Japan.
I thought at least some Koreans were butt hurt over having to send a number of virgins regularly to the Chinese Emperor of some dynasty or other.
The Chinese did overtly protect Korea against Japan at times. But tribute was also sent to China.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tributary_states_of_China
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