Future of the South Korean Navy

One of the seven largest navy of the world by 2022...

Personnal strenght (+/- 72 000):
+/- 68 000:
(including +/- 28 000 south-korean "marines", +/- 45 000 regular sailors and +/- 19 000 conscript).

+ 4500 (maritime police).

2 LPH/LHD (up to 4):
2 Dokdo Class
18 000 tons LPH, a modern LPH design (derived from dutch Thales Netherlands design studies). "Dokdo, Marado-Island", commissioned by 2007/2011. With probable +/- 30 year service life expected, to be retired by 2037/2041.

2 bigger & improved ships were planned by late 2010’s (likely a 30 000+ tons, full F-35 capable).

Others Amphibious ships:
4 Go Jun Bong class
"Go-Jun-Bong, Bi-Ro-Bong, Hyang-Ro-Bong, Sung-In-Bong), 2600/4300 tons LST style, commissioned by 1994/1998. With probable 35+ years service life expected, to be retired by late 2020’s decade. Likely one of these current ship will be “loaned” to the Royal Malaysian navy .

4 Alligator LST.

Very likely a new program of medium amphibious ships (+/- 3000/5000 tons) was underway, but sorry I not find data about it !

43 landing crafts (2006/2007 estimates + updates)
- 6 LCT, 20 LCVP, 10 LCM.

+ 3 LSF-I (project 12 061E Murena-E).

+ 4 LSF-II (Indigenous built US LCAC).

12 Destroyers/Frigates
3 Sejong the Great class (KDX-III)
"Sejong-the-Great, Yulgok-Yi-I, Kwon-Yul", 11 000 tons, enlarged design derived from US Arleigh Burke IIA flight, a very extremely powerfull AAW ship design, even more capable than the current US aegis CG/DDG ships !, commissioned by 2008/2011. With probable 35+ year service life expected, to be retired by 2043/2046.

Up to 6 "KDX-IIA" by 2022
A second batch of 3 KDX-III, originally planned toward 2018/2022 was finally cancelled because the future south Korean navy needs change rapidly, from very high-end warships (very powerful/ expensive) to a mid-end warships (+/- powerful but cheaper, more affordable in greater number). Consequently, the further three 11 000 tons KDX III was cancelled and replaced by 6 newer 5600 tons KDX IIA (improved KDX II with Aegis).

6 Chungmugong Yi Sun-Shin class (KDX-II)
"Chungmugong-Yi-Sun-Shin, Munmu-the-great, Dae-Joyeong, Wang-Geon, Kang-Gamchan, Choi -Young). 5000 tons. Commissioned by 2003/2008. With probable 30 year service life, to be retired by 2033/2038.

3 Gwanggaeto the Great class (KDX-I)
"Gwanggaeto-the-Great, Eulji-Mundeok, Yang-Manchun". 3800 tons. Commissioned by 1998/2000. With probable 30 year service life, to be retired by 2028/2030.

9 Light frigates (to be replaced by fewer/bigger ships):
9 "Ulsan"
"Ulsan, Seoul, Chungnam, Masan, Gyeongbuk, Jeonnam, Jeju, Busan, Cheongju", 2300 tons, commissioned by 1981/1993. With probable 30+ year service life, all to be retired by 2011/2023 and partially replaced by a newer series of six 5600 tons KDX-IIA frigate (improved KDX-II with Aegis system) by 2018/2022.

+/- 23 Corvettes:
22 Pohang class
1200 tons corvette, in 3 batch :
- 3 Batch 1 (SUW), "Gunsan, Gyeongju, Mokpo", commissioned by 1984/1986.
- 17 Batch 2 (ASW): "Gimcheon, Chungju, Jinu, Yeosu, Jinhae, Suncheon, Iri, Wonju, Andong, Bucheon, Seongnam, Jecheon, Daecheon, Sokcho, Yeongju, Namwon, Gwangmyeong", commissioned by 1987/1991.
- 2 Batch 3 (AAW) "Sinseong, Gongju", commissioned by 1992/1993.

1 Donghae class
"Anyang", 1000 tons, 1983. Likely to be retired soon (3 others similar ships recently decommissioned).

The FFX project (up to 24 ships ?):
These 22 “Pohang” corvettes and 1 “Dong Hae” corvette will be replaced by a newer class of frigate (the FFX project). As usual, this new class of frigate will be much bigger (3200 tons), better armed (a 76 or more likely a 127mm gun, a CIWS system, one helico with hangar) and build in massive number (12 to 24 ships).
The recent "Chenoan disaster" highlight the need for a stronger ASW suit for the future South Korean ships. It is clear that the South Korean Navy will try to integrate in these new vessels a stronger anti submarine capability. If unfortunately the CURRENT FFX design does not include a ASW VLS missiles (to carry Red Shark missile), because the first ship of this series is scheduled for 2012, it is very likely that the first "batch"of 6 vessels (to be commissioned by 2012-2015) will have the original design.
A very likely second "batch" (12 to 24 vessels ? between 2015/2022), probably benefit from greater improvements (superstructures modified, maybe slightly enlarged with a "pluggin" few hull meters added, to more easily insert VLS).

+/- 75 Fast attack missikes crafts (expected to fall in number & growth in size):
Gumdoksuri class
570 tons fast craft intended in 2 batch:
- 24 PKX-A (or Yun Youngha class), a missile patrol ship.
- 18 PKX-B, a patrol boat (Yoon Youngha, Han Sanggook, Jo Chunhyung, Hwang Dohyun, Suh Hoowon, Park Donghyuk, others future craft not yet named). Maybe others "batch" ? planned by late 2010's ?. Intended to replace the ageing "Chamsuri" FAC.

+/- 75 Chamsuri class
170 tons.

12 Submarines (toward a domestic capacity in 2020 ?)
3 (+6) Sohn-Won-Yil class
"Son Won Il, Jeong Ji, An Jung Geun", 1900 tons, type 214 SSK. Commissioned by 2007/2009.
6 others subs was ordered to be commissioned by 2014/2018.

9 Chang Bogo class
"Chang Bogo, Lee Chun, Choi Museon, Park Wi, Lee Jongmu, Jeong Un, Lee Sunsin, Na Daeyong, Lee Eokgi", 1800 tons, type 209 SSK. Commissioned by 1993/2001, with probable +/- 30 year service life expected, to be retired by 2023/2031.

SSK(X):
Likely +/- 3 newer 3000+ tons SSK (of a indigenous design) were expected by early 2020 with a 4th ship maybe to become the 1st south Korean SSN by mid 2020’s ?

+/- 11 Coastal submarines:
2 "Dolgorae" class.
9 "Dolphin" class.

+/- 10 Minewespeers:
1 "Wonsan" class minelayer ship.
3 "Yangyang" class Mine-hunter.
6 "Ganggyeong" class coastal mine-hunter.

+/- 10 Auxiliary's (estimation):
3 "Cheonji" class combat support ships.
1 "Cheonghaejin" class submarine rescue ship.
2 "Pyeongtaek" class salvage/rescue ships (ex us Edenton class).
1 "Sinsegi" class intelligence ship.
1 "Sincheonji" class AGS ship.
1 "Dadohae" class, midget submarine tender ship.

Naval Aviation (estimation):
19 Aircrafts: 16 P3C (8 P3C, 8 P3CK); 3 Cessna F406, 8 S-2E tracker (some in reserve).
38 Helico (+9): 10 UH-60P; 23 Lynx (11 Mk 99, 12 Mk 99A); 5 Alouette III + 9 Hughes 500 (South-Korea Maritime Police).

South Korea Maritime Police (2006/2007 +/- "inacurate" estimates):
1 PSO:
1 "Sumjinkang".

10 PCO:
1 "Han Kang".
3 "Mazinger".
6 "Sea Dragon".

33 PCC
(4 Burkhansan, 7 Hyundai type, 22 Sea Wolf/shark).

+/- 20 PCI
18 Seagull PBI
3 ARS

Several KCH 100 tons patrol boats.

65 KCG 50 tons patrol boats (commissioned by 2002/2006).

South-Korean Marines Corps (estimates):
+/- 28 000 troops.
60 M-47 tank.
+/- 100 AAV amphibious armored vehicles (42 AAV-7A1, 60 LVTP-7).
Some 105 & 155mm guns.

With a continuously growth, the South-Korean navy was expected to reach a considerable size by 2022:
- Two 30 000+ tons LPH.
- Two 18 000 tons LPH.
- 30 to 42 ! major surface combatant (3000+ tons) : Three 11 000 tons KDX-III, Six 5600 tons KDX-IIA, Six 5000 tons KDX-II, Three 3800 tons KDX-I, Twelve to Twenty-fourth 3200 tons FFX.
- Around 18 Submarines : 9 type 214, +/- 7/8 type 209, 1 or 2 SSK(X).

A considerable size helped by the economic/strategic/politic weight of some “Asiatic Giant/Tiger” country by 2020 (China, South-Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapour, Malaysia, Thailand) and by the continual decline of some “western” navy.

Next editorial: Future of the Iranian Navy.

As usual, It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programms ? (or made few mistakes ?, especially in small crafts/auxiliary's/Coast Guards strenght), then said it ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !