Babcock backs both designs for Korean aircraft carrier
Babcock has been increasing its presence Korea, most recently with its investment in a facility in Busan. (Photo: Babcock)
Babcock has signed an MoU with Daewoo Shipbuilding and is now backing both of the main contenders for Korea’s CVX programme.
Babcock has signed an MoU with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, one of Korea’s largest shipyards, to collaborate on systems integration programmes for future vessels.
This follows the MoU signing between Babcock and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in June 2021 focusing on the South Korean Navy’s CV eXperimental (CVX) future light aircraft carrier programme.
As HHI and Daewoo Shipbuilding are the two major competitors for the CVX programme, Babcock appears to be guaranteed to influence the vessel’s design, bringing its experience designing and manufacturing the UK RN’s Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
At the time of Babcock and HHI’s MoU signing, the potential for the CVX programme seemed tenuous, with debates questioning if an aircraft carrier would optimally address the Republic of Korea’s security concerns.
The National Defense Committee refused an application for KRW101 billion ($90.9 million) for CVX research requirements for FY2021, instead, the ministry was given just $900,000.
The rationale was that the projection of airpower a single carrier provides is less significant when considering the proximity of North Korea and insufficient when compared to the size and capabilities of the PLAN.
However, the Korean National Assembly approved the KRW7.2 billion (around $6.1 million) budget for CVX development in the final month of 2021 and the programme appears to be progressing.
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home]()
‘Now Europe is a market’: Fincantieri sees new opportunities closer to home
Fincantieri naval vessels chief Eugenio Santagata spoke to Shephard about opportunities and how they sit within a portfolio backed by a “strong backlog”, as Euronaval 2026 unfolded.
-
![Kongsberg Maritime and Thales UK team on Arctic Hunter Type 92 proposal]()
Kongsberg Maritime and Thales UK team on Arctic Hunter Type 92 proposal
The Norwegian company says a commercial hull, proven sonar and a British yard could deliver uncrewed submarine hunters by the end of the decade, but the Royal Navy has not yet set a requirement or timeline.
-
![US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine]()
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
![ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign]()
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.
-
![Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes]()
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
