Personally, I think Corea will have the strongest navy in Asia in the near future. The Corean navy's AEGIS-equipped KDX-III (King Sejong Class) destroyers is probably the most advanced AEGIS ship out there today and can best what the Japanese and Chinese have easily. In the near future, I think we can expect at least 7-10 KDX-III ships. With the AEGIS-equipped KDX ships, frigates with F-15Ks (possibly future KFX/F-35 and maybe F-22) and amphibious ships supporting the force, I think we will definitely become the leading navy in all of Asia.

Any thoughts?

You're dreaming too much.

7~10 KDX-III? Says who? Not navy, and most certainly not the government. We would be VERY lucky if the next batch of 3 KDX-3 hulls were approved, though I have great doubt that it would be happening anytime soon.

Realistically speaking, with the completion of KDX-II program at 6 hulls, I would be very surprised if ANY destroyer hulls, whether they be KDX-II or III, were funded at all in the next decade. The light-armed FFX frigates begin construction later this year, which would most likely occupy the yards for few years to come. The most we might be able to hope for is a new class of 3~6 destroyer hulls to begin construction in 2012~2015. They may be 3 KDX-III or 6 follow-on to KDX-II.

Either way, this is far from the 'best navy of Asia' as Japan fields 6 AEGIS destroyers NOW plus close to 20 general-purpose destroyer of KDX-II class. KDX-III, despite all the hype, is just simply little heavier in terms of anti-ship and land-attack capability. It's good, and it's useful to ROK Navy's strike capability, but it is not more advanced or 'powerful' than her Japanese equivalent, which, I remind you, will have BMD capability, while KDX-III will not.

The technological edge is likely to be debated, but China and Japan would likely hold a sizable numerical advantage. And Japan is definitely on par in technology, so it's not like a "high tech vs. numbers" debate.

I was talking about the future. And I think the government (or military) once talked about 7-10 KDX-III figure, I am not sure when, I might try to find the report later. While we may still be a bit weaker than Japan, based on our progress a couple of decades ago, we have advanced more than our neighbors (especially with KDX project) in terms of technology. Corea has been the largest shipbuilder for a long time now and I think we will continue our technological lead over the Japanese and Chinese for another long while, give our record in this area. I think we should be at least a bit more optimistic about our navy, don't you think?

The future of Korean navy is the distinct division of a small-core of expeditionary-type fleet built around the modernized amphibious assault group and the destroyer squadrons, and the numerically larger squadron of lightly-armed littoral attack ships and frigates.

The expeditionary forces are expected to serve Korean interested in many oversea operations with or without international cooperation. The backbone of defense of home waters will rest on 18~24 FFX frigates, each armed with 8 SSM-700K anti-ship missiles and the PKG attack crafts also armed with the same missiles. In the future, some of the frigates may also carry home-developed supersonic anti-ship missile. Defensively speaking, breaking through the defense of such missile-armed ships operating in conjunction with air defense and strike aircrafts and diesel-attack submarines will be very difficult task.

I personally believe the development of the missile-armed PKG was a response to increasing presence of Chinese naval surface fleet in the West (Yellow) Sea rather than anything else. There is really no other good reason why a 500ton vessel would be fitted with 150+km anti-ship missiles otherwise. An evasive, missile-armed craft would serve better than a larger, more heavily armed destroyer or a frigate since both sides, should they wish, could target and hit just about anything operating in the area.

Interesting! What do you think about the future prospect of a Corean aircraft carrier (I know it may be too much to ask right now) or a CVBG in the future?

After closely (very much so) following the naval program for the last 5 years or so, I'm done being optimistic. The future? Yeah I've looked into the defense white paper, naval construction expectations (both internal and external), and I'm telling you now that your 7~10 is simply unrealistic. At most, the navy talked about 6 KDX-III. It may, or may not be possible, but as the current KDX-III construction is going to continue to 2011 at least, and the FFX program goes into steel cutting later this year or early next year, I just don't see a room in the budget.

Unless there is a drastic increase in the naval budget of course. Which is unlikely to the point of the parliamentary members lowering their own salaries.

In terms of modernization? You should recognize that ROKN lacked a single ship with modern SAM until the late 90s. We are playing 'catch up', not leading anybody. We are still loosing ground as Japan launches into their next generation of fleet assets (Soryu, Hyuuga, 19DD, P-X, SH-60J Kai, etc).

And aircraft carrier? 2035 (construction time included) at the earliest, assuming program is launched sometime in the 2020s. As you might be able to tell, I have very conservative estimates about these things because they usually do fit it pretty well with the actual pace of the program. Even when I said 2035, it was kind of a hopeful estimate.

On the Corean navy website, it says that it hopes to achieve "blue water" status by 2020. Maybe this is referring to a possible aircraft carrier program?

While Corea may be behind on the navy right now (but the army and airforce in my opinion is a completely different story), I think we can still get on top if we are determined to do it.

BTW What is Corea's current position compared to the Japanese? And what about other potential navies in the region like the Indians, Chinese, and Russian? ATM, Corea and Japan (with U.S. aid) are probably the only high tech navies in the region, do you think that will change in the near future? And do you think Corea can be one of the top navies in the future?

Korea might have sizable & formidable naval power by 2020, but I personally thinks Japan & Australia still be under USA's joint navy therefore Americans still be the most powerful navy in pacific, and China, India and Russia also be active players too.

why you spell korea "corea"? is that suppose have some meaning to it? imho, n. korea is tougher than s. korea. and s. korea is not going to best a big country like china and usa. japan itself has been one of the world's leading tech. countries as well as the u.s. sister country. with all of that, why would korea as a whole be as strong as you say with technology. aegis seem to sound familiar, isn't that a greek word? sort of like in greek mythology? although it could be abbrev. but seriously, isn't korea, I mean s. korea still a developing country? also take into account, korea has borrowed some stuff from china, japan, and the big U.S.A.

Kindly step away from topic you have no understanding of, thank you.

The current strategic vision for Navy's blue water fleet is to form a small surface action group cored around the Dokdo class amphibious assault ship escorted by 1 KDX-III AEGIS destroyer and 2 KDX-II destroyer plus a submarine--though this remains to be seen. This is what's said in the official papers and defense plans. I see no indication that there is a serious carrier program present in ROK Navy at the moment.

In terms of sheer combat capability, the entirity of ROK Nayv (minus the Marine Corps) is rated at somewhere around 10~15% the capability of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. This is accounting for Japan's larger surface and submarine fleets, vastly larger and qualitively superior aviation wing and the mine hunting and logistics forces.

Against PLAN, it is believed that ROKN maintains capability of 35~40% of the Chinese navy, the biggest gap being the nuclear-powered attack submarines and their strategic ballistic missile submarines.

Russia's Pacific Fleet is close to being dead anyway, with the exception of several destroyers and attack submarines. Still a formiddable force, but not even close to their Atlantic service, much less the Soviet-era.

Does it matter where the name AEGIS originated from? FYI, it's a naval combat system developed by the US Navy. Basic info that every armchair general should know.

Operation CWAL. And I forgot the code for more money. Though, it would be better, if I had the code for god mode.

So should we ask them Martians for that code for god mode?

No way. I think at very least, Corea has at least over 50% (I had thought 80-90% at first) of Japanese navy. But still, Corea's navy is stronger overall because we are not limited by constitution and can use offensive weapons. So I would rate our navy higher than Japan.

The Chinese navy is a joke. They are mostly numbers for the most part and their record is not very meaningful, when we leave out their nukes. Most of their navy build up is concentrated on making lots of ships and submarines, but lack quality. Their metal scrap can't hold a candle on Corea's KDX-III. Recent military analysis suggest the Chinese to be far from being a blue water navy and still rely mostly on imported Russian hardware. I definitely do not agree Corean navy is only 40% of the PLAN.

But yes, I think you are right about Russia. Russia is mostly concentrated in Europe so I doubt they have much going for them in Asia.

Your...estimations would make lot me sense if it actually had some facts behind it, not your own assumptions.

I suggest that you stop [thinking] and start [knowing].


http://www.dkbnews.com/main.php?mn=news&am...d&nidx=3481

Start here.

It is a fact that Japan cannot use offensive weapons and that China mostly relies on numbers and Rusian weapons, how am I wrong?

BTW, it looks like now Corea is going to make 6 KDX-IIIs according to this source:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/...ent_7587757.htm

It might be a higher number because costs might lower over time. And in fact, the South Corean military budget is going to increase over 10% ever year until 2020 for Corea's defense reform plan. These developments are unmatched by anything the Chinese and Japanese can throw at us. Again, Japan cannot make war and is largely concentrated on defence and the nukes of the Norks while the Chinese has nothing but bloated Russian hardware (which is now unreliable and outdated compared to Corean/Western military systems, even you said you agreed) that can even touch our KDX-IIIs, F-15Ks, SM-6 missiles (which can act as a missile shield).

btw, Indonesia is now looking to buy some Corean tanks:

http://mathaba.net/news/?x=581898

This proves that quality Corean military hardware is now in serious demand!

i got it

chinese navy is crap. korean navy rules.

3 destroyers is going to tip the balance of pacific (while china is contemplating carrier groups). korean's F15 is going to cover both ocean and land ( while china have naval aircorps -with task specific bombers and fighter bombers). korea navy's greatness lies in sugar daddy's high tech (while china is firmly committed to home-owned weaponry). sure korea has big shipbuilding industry (while china is flooding the pacific with the subs ready to choke u, even US has to respect china by switching on their active sonars in California, say sorry to the whales). korea just canceled their fighter programs ( we are almost ready, heard about JXX?). we can see you in space. anything u put there we can take it out.
finally, north korea can do the dirty works for us, that's free.

my advice: don't piss off sugar daddy, japan, russia, and china. please don't bash about north korea, they are u own kind.

enjoy

Sorry, but Corea is already announcing 6 KDX-IIIs (I will say that number will probably be higher because lower cost over time) not to mention the other KDX supporting it. Corea also already has the Dokdo LPD which can act as a aircraft carrier as well as the F-15Ks which are superior than any jet China or Japan has. Corean technology is already one of the best in the world (like the K-2 tank) and we have a big shipbuilding industry, and is one of very few countries with AEGIS ships (I think KDX-III is the most advanced too).

China on the other hand just relies on Russian scrap metal, which is not world class at all. China's home grown defence industry is a joke and is mostly from 1960s technology whereas Corea is already a world technology leader and many Corean technologies are in huge demand. In a short word, China is only known for its big numbers. Ask any serious defence analyst, they will almost all agree that China's progress is just bloated and not very serious (that's why Corea's navy is only 40% of PLAN, because Corean navy only has 40% of navy units compared to PLAN). Until China begins to adopt newer technology that can compete with Corea and Western standard, you will have no chance against Corean navy.

your comments are so vague in specificities, don't merit any further discussion. Next time, be more prepared when u start to talk about military hardwares.

ps dokdo class is a marine support ship + multitasking anti-subs.

you enjoy yourself.

I would Q's this CoreaPower's motive here.

That's it, this is NOT worth my time or effort. Do your own damn research.

tat must be some real CoreaPower! china/russia/japan/usa are so scared.... omg wat we gona do?

weapons don't win wars. It's the heart and Koreans have a lot more than anyone else.

Tell that to the Iraqis, Japanese, Polish, Germans, etc...

Tell that to the viets and Koreans who didn't lose to Americans.

Just for the record, the OP is one of those multiaccount trolls also known as "KoreanSuperiority". He is not a Korean, he just plays Korean.

Backho! This 'master_fx' already knew about trolls. He's just playing along with other trolls to create opportunity to bash Koreans here. Just look at most of his posts on this thread. Even his user name 'master_fx' shows his superiority complex (aka Red China pride).

While suffering horrendous losses that are COMPLETELY unacceptable to current South Korea. Win or lose, such loss of population base and industry would destroy the country. Romantics of warfare...bull$hit.

wow....there are some seriously insecure people in this forum....I get a good laugh out when some chinese internet tough guy talks dirt about korea. Korea look out!!!

Korean should watch out for red carpet treatment from ex-soviets iron fist brothers-in-arms. Their govt policies are full of blood stains.