TSAMTO, September 2. The British company Babcock International has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on cooperation in the construction of the first light aircraft carrier for the ROK Navy under the CVX program.
As reported by Kedglobal.com With reference to the press releases of Babcock and HHI dated September 1, it is assumed that the Babcock Korea joint venture will be maximally involved in the CVX program – from the development of the concept, design and joint construction to the permanent operational support of the new aircraft carrier as part of the ROK Navy.
In addition, Babcock will support the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea by investing in the creation of infrastructure for the production of equipment for the aircraft carrier, providing maintenance, repair and overhaul of the ship at the shipyard in Busan.
The companies have completed a conceptual project, which is estimated at a total of 2 trillion rubles. won ($1.8 billion) last year. The developed model expands the operational capabilities of the aircraft carrier due to the improved design of the aircraft take-off and landing system, the use of an integrated combat control system using unmanned aerial vehicles and boats.
Hyundai Heavy Industries is competing for the CVX project, published in December 2020 as part of the" Medium-term Defense Plan for 2020-2024", with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering. It is planned that the basic contract with one of these companies will be signed next year. The completion of the aircraft carrier development project is scheduled for 2033.
The Babcock and HHI aircraft carrier project has a length of 263 m, a width of 46.6 m and a displacement of 45,000 tons. The estimated maximum speed is 27 knots (50 km / h). The aircraft carrier will be able to carry up to 16 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fighters, such as the F – 35B, on the deck, and another 12 fighters in the hangar.
In August 2020, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea confirmed that 20 F-35B fighters will be purchased for the CVX project. The aircraft carrier will also host helicopters currently being developed in the Republic of Korea for the Marine Corps.
