South Korea replaces F-35B with drones on new aircraft carrier, prioritizing cost savings and defense autonomy (Sergey Koznov – Unsplash)
South Korea has decided to overhaul its plan to build a light aircraft carrier, opting out of purchasing American F-35B fighter jets in favor of using domestically produced drones.
The shift reflects a strategy focused on greater defense autonomy and cost reduction, as the acquisition and maintenance of F-35Bs are considered very expensive. Instead, the new project prioritizes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions, while retaining only a few manned helicopters for specific operations.
The original plan, initiated under former President Moon Jae-in, called for the construction of a 30,000-ton aircraft carrier capable of carrying 20 F-35Bs by 2033. The new concept now includes various types of drones, including kamikaze models, with an emphasis on more modern naval missions.
The vessel will be adapted to serve as a command ship, capable of coordinating attack, landing, security, and rescue operations in open waters.
In addition to technological modernization, cost savings are one of the main drivers of the change. The previous project was estimated to cost around \$5.1 billion, while the drone-based design promises to cut several billion dollars.
HD Hyundai was contracted to develop the new concept, and final approval of the plan is expected by the end of May. If approved by the end of the year, construction of the new aircraft carrier could begin in the second half of the 2030s.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: Unsplash | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🇰🇷 South Korea pivots from expanding its F-35 fleet, doubling down on unmanned naval and drone warfare tech instead.
A sign of shifting defense priorities in the face of modern threats.@Defence_blog pic.twitter.com/uxPGHAwBms— Indopac News (@IndopacNews) May 13, 2025
