South Korea seriously intends to replenish its Navy with an aircraft carrier. According to the portal kedglobal.com Yesterday, on September 1, the British company Babcock International signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) on cooperation in the construction of the first light aircraft carrier for the Republic of Korea Navy under the CVX program.
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.
A render of an aircraft carrier being developed under the CVX program
Image source: janes.com
The total cost of the project is estimated at 2 trillion won ($1.8 billion). 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. The project is scheduled for completion in 2033.
The aircraft carrier from Babcock and HHI will have 263 m in length, 46.6 m in width 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, as well as 12 fighters in the hangar. In August last year, 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 accommodate helicopters for the Marine Corps.
