South Korean companies Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) have joined forces to bid for the design, development, and construction of a light aircraft carrier for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN).
The companies announced on 19 August that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the expectation that the combination of the two shipyards' capabilities and resources will lead to not only securing the order for the RoKN's ‘CV eXperimental' (CVX) project but also to synergies and the economic revitalisation of the regions where the shipyards operate.
A CGI provided by the RoKN showing the future light aircraft carrier and its F-35B fighter aircraft, escorted by what appear to be KSS-III-class submarines as well as KDX-2-, KDX-3 Batch II-, and KDDX-class destroyers, and a Soyang (AOE-II)-class logistics support ship. (RoKN)
HHIC, which has built the RoKN's two Dokdo-class landing platform helicopter (LPH) amphibious assault ships, noted that the two companies will first focus on winning the contract for the carrier's basic design.
The announcement comes after DSME and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) displayed competing designs for the CvX programme – which is expected to formally begin next year – during the 9–12 June International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition 2021 (MADEX 2021) in Busan.
DSME showcased a 1:125 scale model of its proposal featuring a twin-island arrangement but no ‘ski jump' ramp. The model displayed reflects the design that had been seen in promotional material released by the RoKN since January.
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