US Naval War College Review – Rather than waste its money on nuclear submarines that would provide only a single-dimensional response, South Korea should lock down a superior ASW suite by combining new technologies with existing ROKN platforms to provide multiple mission capabilities for less money, including support by existing maintenance infrastructure.

Naval News – The Republic of Korea Navy conducted a second successful test-firing of South Korea’s domestically designed submarine-launched ballistic missile from the KSS-III submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho (SS-083).

Naval News – South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) proposed a blueprint to deter naval activities of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) via anti-access/area denial (A2/AD). 

War on the Rocks – What would South Korea do if China attacked Taiwan?

Navy News – Nuclear submarines offer significant advantages over non-nuclear ones. South Korea has been looking to acquire them for many years and now has the industry to do it.

War Zone – A new joint war plan is coming together and it envisages an expanded role for the South Korean military in the Asia Pacific region.

USNI News – The Republic of Korea Navy is no longer solely focused on the threat from its northern neighbor, but is embarking on an expansion to build a fully-fledged blue water fleet.

CIMSEC – Although the United States was able to deter China from invading Taiwan in 1950 despite its concurrent commitment of forces to defend South Korea against North Korean aggression, it may not be so successful today or in the near future given the current trend in the balance of military power.

Naval News – New supersonic missile which seems to be based on the Russian Yakhont will provide the anti-surface warfare (ASuW) punch of the ROK Navy’s future KDDX and KDX III Batch 2 destroyers.

Naval News – The latest non-nuclear submarines are much more stealthy and formidable than previous generations. Now the South Koreans have combined this with a ballistic missile capability. This could foreshadow a new dawn in submarine capabilities.

Defense Talk – South Korea’s Navy received its first ballistic-missile-capable submarine on Friday to counter the threat of underwater missiles from the nuclear-armed North.

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – South Korea tested for the first time a submarine launched ballistic missile from a submerged barge last week.

War Zone – Rival designs are going head-to-head as South Korea seeks to put F-35 stealth fighters to sea.

Naval News – A new design for CVX, South Korea’s light aircraft carrier program, was revealed by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) at MADEX 2021. The new design is significantly different from both HHI’s own previous design and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME)’s current design.

Naval News – Here is everything you need to know about the CVX project ahead of MADEX 2021

Naval News – On 4 February 2021, the Republic of Korea (RoK) Navy held a seminar at the Chungnam National University to actively promote the LPX-II Light Aircraft Carrier program to South Korea’s public.

Guardian – South Korean forces have arrived in waters near the strait of Hormuz as pressure builds on Iran to free a South Korean tanker it seized along with its crew on Monday.

Naval News – On 30 December 2020, details for South Korea’s LPX-II light aircraft carrier were finalized and the necessary budget was officially allocated in the 2020~2024 Mid-Term Defense Plan.

Defense News – South Korea’s Navy has received its first training ship, built with a reduced radar signature

Naval News – The South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND) has decided in August to double its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets. A total of forty additional “Joint Strike Fighters” will be procured, including 20 F-35B short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant for its light aircraft carrier project known as LPX-II.

– Korea Herald – The Defense Ministry said Monday it plans to roll out enhanced submarines in the next five years that will be capable of carrying more ballistic missiles, as part of a long-term initiative to beef up South Korea’s military capabilities.

(Thanks to Alain)

– Naval News – South Korea’s 2021-2025 defense blueprint which was revealed yesterday provides some fresh details on the plans to develop an aircraft carrier capability for the Republic of Korea (RoK) Navy: The LPX-II project will be a dedicated light aircraft carrier for F-35B, it will not be an amphibious assault ship.

– Maritime Bulletin – On Jul 17 Korean media reported minor collision between car carrier Hoegh London and Korean Navy submarine.

(Thanks to Alain)

– US Naval War College Review – The United States must choose whether it will oppose or support South Korea’s emerging SSN program. While the strategic risks the program represents are readily apparent, the United States should support and assist its ally if South Korea pursues acquisition of SSNs.

– Naval News – Despite the COVID-19 crisis, South Korea’s defense budget remains mostly unaffected. Budget reductions in the “2020-2024 mid-term defense acquisition plan” will be limited to programs deemed as “non essential” and to a limited number of foreign procurement programs.