The Republic of Korea Navy (ROK-N) has officially confirmed the launch of the LPX-II aircraft carrier program, finalising the design details and budget formally allocated as part of the 2020-2024 Mid-term Defense Plan.
As both China and Japan surge ahead with plans to build potent aircraft carrier capabilities, South Korea has joined the race and announced plans to build a modified large-deck aircraft carrier based on the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) Dokdo class amphibious warfare ships.
The first of South Korea’s aircraft carriers is an enlarged variant of the currently in service, Dokdo class landing platform dock ships, which are more akin to Australia’s Canberra Class LHDs and the US Navy’s Wasp and America class LHDs.
Construction of the LPX-II Class is expected to commence in 2021 by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for launch later in the 2020s – the proposed vessel is expected to be longer and heavier than the Dokdo class vessels with a displacement of approximately 30,000 tons and capable of accommodating 20 F-35Bs and an unspecified number of helicopters.