South Korea will have a full-fledged aircraft carrier. Yesterday, February 24, portal janes.com He reported that the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced the launch of the CVX program.
The Republic of Korea Navy has ordered Hyundai Heavy Industries to develop a new large-capacity landing ship with the ability to accommodate vertical take-off and landing fighters in 2019. The project was named LPX-II and was designed on the basis of existing helicopter carriers of the LPX-I project (Dokdo type). Now the project to build a light aircraft carrier has changed its name to CVX and is moving to the stage of preparation for construction.
A rendering of an aircraft carrier being developed as part of the CVX program
Image source: janes.com
The DAPA indicates that the prospective ship will have a displacement of about 30,000 tons. The CVX wing will include 16 F-35B fighters, as well as helicopters. The construction of the aircraft carrier will begin next year, and it will be able to enter service with the fleet in 2033.
Render of a promising aircraft carrier group
Image source: daum.net
The cost of the CVX program is stated at 2.3 trillion won (about $2 billion). At the same time, it is planned to spend about 3 trillion won on the air wing — this amount will include the purchase of 20 aircraft and 8 helicopters.
It is known that South Korea is also considering the possibility of basing F-35B fighters on the LPH 6112 Marado (the second and final helicopter carrier of the Dokdo type).
