S. Korea: Navy to Launch Region's Biggest Troop Landing Ship (LPX-class)

Chosun Ilbo ^ | 07/04/05

[TigerLikesRooster]

Navy to Launch Region's Biggest Troop Landing Ship

The Navy will launch Korea's first LPX-class ship equipped with a flight deck like a light aircraft carrier.

The Dokdo, named amid the patriotic fervor surrounding a recent spat with Japan over Korea’s islets in the East Sea, will be used in a wide range of activities including UN peacekeeping operations and disaster relief. It opens new areas of operation for the Navy as Korea looks to more independent defense capabilities.

With a displacement of 13,000 tons the Dokdo will not only be the largest vessel in the Korean Navy but also substantially larger than the similar Osumi-class landing ship (8,900 tons) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, and with a larger payload capacity as well, making it the regions largest of its kind. Previously, the largest ship in the Korean Navy was the 9,000-ton support vessel Cheonji.

The Dokdo can carry a battalion of marines (about 700 men), 10 armored vehicles, up to 200 vehicles, 15 helicopters, and two LCAC hovercrafts capable of landing on enemy shores doing 40 knots ? a mix that enables it to launch troop landings from both sea and air. Such “amphibious” capabilities of the Korean Navy have been limited to four 4,300-ton Kojoonbong-class landing ships and four 4,080-ton Unbong-class landing ships given to it by the United States after use in World War II.

Japan has built three Osumi-class landing ships since 1998, but their payload -- 330 unarmed men and 10 armored vehicles -- is far short of the LPX. Japan deployed Osumi-class vessels when it sent troops to Iraq and during relief operations following the South Asian tsunami of late 2004. That the Korean Navy was able to send only a 4,300-ton landing vessel exposed shortcomings in ocean-going operations the new ship will go some way toward remedying.

Some experts say the vessel could be converted into a light aircraft carrier in an emergency carrying AV-8 Harrier VTOL aircraft, but military authorities deny this.

[TigerLikesRooster]

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping!

[Jeff Head]

These look for all the world like a miniature Wasp class. The S. Koreans have a strong and well armed military. IMHO, they will need a few JSF aircraft to put on that vessel.

Having said that, I pray the S. Korean government does not continue down a political path that is pacifist or cow-towing to the N. Koreans...which means (IMHO) that it is also, be extension, cow-towing to the Red Chinese.

If they do, these wonderfully capable ships will end up being built for the other side. I believe many in the S. Korean military would fight on their own, or scuttle them rather than see them fall in the hands of a N. Korean or Red China friendly regime. At least I pray that is the case.

[spetznaz]

Some experts say the vessel could be converted into a light aircraft carrier in an emergency carrying AV-8 Harrier VTOL aircraft, but military authorities deny this.

The first thing I thought when i saw this was 'JSF capable.' Maybe this will be like one of the Japanese aircraft ....oops, I mean helicopter ....carriers. Guess the nations around China (eg India, S. Korea, Taiwan, Japan ...even Thailand and Australia) are girding themselves. Good for them, because somehow I think in the future they will be able to fend for themselves ....at least for a while. Uncle Sam may not exactly be able to arrive on time if the Chinese have their way and thus it is imperative for those nations to be able to bear more weight than was necessary in the past. Just my thoughts.

[Jeff Head]

Amen.

[Jeff Head]

The S. Koreans are also looking at building several Burke Class derivitives...flight II A types.

KDX III Class destroyers

[spetznaz]

This is not exactly directly pertinent to this thread, but I was wondering about the capabilities of the various AEGIS-like systems ...particularly the European synthetic aperture radar systems that are supposed to be AEGIS analogues. How do they compare with current AEGIS-Spy1D, how developed are they, and more importantly are they perfect peers in terms of comparative capability?

[snowsislander]

Having said that, I pray the S. Korean government does not continue down a political path that is pacifist or cow-towing to the N. Koreans...which means (IMHO) that it is also, be extension, cow-towing to the Red Chinese.

bttt

[spetznaz]

Did we agree to sell the Taiwanese AEGIS systems or are we still pushing more Kidds to them?

[Jeff Head]

S. Korea has laready launched four of the KDX-II destroyers and is building two more. They hope start that first KDX-III class by 2008.

The KDX-II is no slouch, with a five inch gun, a 32-cell VLS system for standard missiles, eight harpoon missiles, 20mm CIWS, etc.

[Jeff Head]

They are getting the Kidds, which are often refered to as "AEGIS lite". The KIDDS have the capability of being slaved to an Aegis ship (ie. a US Burke or Tico).

I believe we are still talking about a Burke derivitive for them.

We have sold the technology to Japan...and it looks like to S. Korea as well.

The faster these surrounding nations can become armed to offset Red China's Naval Buildup, the better...that is, as long as they do not fight each other with them.

[Jeff Head]

I believe the European indeginous systems will be inferior to SPY. But we have sold the technology to Japan, it looks like to S. Korea, and Spain.

The Spanish equiped it on their F-100 frigates, the first frigate to be equipped with AEGIS. (AN/SPY-1D). They have built three of them. Here's a pic of that vessel:

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT!

[massgopguy]

Large troop landing crafts are suicide machines. Read about HMS River Clyde in the Gallipoli Campaign.

[Mike Darancette]

The Dokdo can carry a battalion of marines (about 700 men), 10 armored vehicles, up to 200 vehicles, 15 helicopters, and two LCAC hovercrafts

That;s a lot of eggs to put in one basket if you don't have war ships to support it.

[Jeff Head]

The S. Koreans do have warships to support it.

They, along with the Japanese and the ROC (Taiwan) are all rapidly building modern, very capable destroyer navies to counter the Chinese...and well they should.

[Khurkris]

Yobosayo Dudes...bring 'em on down to the sraits off Taiwan.

Free beer & bin lang!