Breaking News: South Korea Prioritizes Drone Command Ship Over Aircraft Carrier with U.S. F-35B Fighter Jets.

According to information published on May 11, 2025, by the South Korean Yonhap News Agency, South Korea has announced a major strategic pivot in its naval modernization plans, prioritizing the development of a multipurpose command ship designed to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This decision effectively replaces the previously proposed light aircraft carrier project, which would have operated F-35B fighter jets. The move reflects the Republic of Korea Navy’s (ROKN) new focus on UAV-centric warfare, a direction strongly influenced by recent battlefield lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war and anticipated changes in future maritime combat environments.
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The U.S.-developed fixed-wing drone Mojave prepares for takeoff from the ROK Navy’s Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship during the 'Large Platform Ship Drone Operation Combat Experiment' in the waters off Pohang, South Korea, on November 13, 2024. (Picture source: Yonhap News South Korea)

The ROK (Republic of Korea) Navy’s announcement highlights the growing influence of drone warfare on global military strategy. As seen in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, UAVs have transformed the modern battlefield through their utility in surveillance, precision strikes, and even psychological impact. Acknowledging these developments, South Korean military planners have concluded that the future of maritime warfare favors unmanned systems over manned aircraft, particularly in terms of cost-efficiency, survivability, and operational flexibility. Instead of operating expensive F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) jets, the new command ship will field a comprehensive mix of UAVs, including combat drones, surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs, and loitering munitions, also known as suicide drones.

This shift effectively cancels the Multipurpose Large Transport Ship-II project, which had been proposed under the Moon Jae-in administration. That project envisioned a 30,000-ton light aircraft carrier, 260 meters long and 40 meters wide, to be completed by 2033 and capable of carrying 20 F-35Bs. However, the plan lost momentum under the current Yoon Suk-yeol government due to rising concerns over its cost-effectiveness and strategic relevance in a changing warfare environment increasingly shaped by unmanned technologies.

In contrast, the newly proposed Multipurpose Manned and Unmanned Force Command Ship will maintain similar size and displacement parameters as the cancelled carrier but will be outfitted primarily with UAVs. While the ship will still accommodate a limited number of manned rotary aircraft—such as amphibious transport helicopters and attack helicopters—the emphasis will be on unmanned systems. These UAVs will provide the Navy with flexible mission capabilities ranging from strike operations to intelligence gathering and rapid-response scenarios.

The financial implications of this shift are also substantial. The original light aircraft carrier program was projected to cost approximately 7 trillion won, including 2.5 trillion won for shipbuilding and an additional 4.5 trillion won for the acquisition of 20 F-35B aircraft, each priced between 150 and 200 billion won. By transitioning to unmanned aerial platforms, the Navy anticipates saving several trillion won, while also avoiding the long-term maintenance and operational costs associated with fifth-generation fighter jets.

In a concrete step toward realizing this vision, the Navy recently awarded HD Hyundai Heavy Industries a contract for a conceptual design study of the new command ship. The redesigned program is expected to be formally presented to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the end of this month. However, as the original aircraft carrier program had already been approved through a formal requirement decision, an official resolution to adjust that requirement will need to be passed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This process is expected to proceed after South Korea’s new government takes office.

South Korea’s strategic reorientation away from a conventional carrier fleet toward an unmanned-centric naval doctrine is in line with a broader global trend. Militaries around the world are increasingly exploring cost-effective, agile, and survivable platforms that leverage drone technology to maintain superiority in contested environments. By investing in a command ship purpose-built for UAV operations, the ROK Navy is not only adapting to evolving battlefield demands but also positioning itself as a leader in next-generation naval warfare.