As long as we’re on “What’s happening…” topic…..

For ROKN – Republic of Korean Navy – several delays in the projects

-LPX timeline has bee pushed up one year to 2005 to begin construction on the first of the two 19,000 ton flat-top assault ships due to budget constraints.

-PKMX program to build 9 missile attack boats and several dozen non-missile attack boats may be delayed. Additional equipment installation has added some 100ton to the 350ton missile-version design. So for cost-control reasons, the program may be delayed to re-evaluate the designs.

-Similiar story with FFX next-gen light coastal frigate program. Ship classes designed to replace the Navy’s aging fleet of Pohang PCCs an Ulsan FFKs may be delayed again due to cost reasons. The frigates, expected to be armed with 76mm gun, SSM-700K ASMs, RAM, Goalkeeper, and helo capacity, are expected to fill the roles of coastal defense frigates. Some 18~27 hulls are expected to be built from this design.

The new really isn’t suprising since KDX programs appears to be sailing without major troubles, though they do meet some bumps here and there. Construction of the 4th ship of KDX-2 class should be in advanced stages now, with 5th hull being started. 4 more hulls at least is expected, maybe as many as 5~6 more. The KDX programs are the jewels of ROKN, while FFX, PKMX and LPX, while still important, are really secondary programs.

F-2 has entered active service long time ago. Over 80 asirframes of F-2A/B should have entered service already. I really wouldn’t be surprised if limited number of AAM-4 have been integrated with F-2 already and seeing limited service.

Alternative to KMH? Of course, just license more UH-60. We’ve already licensed more than 200 airframes currently in our armed forces, whats a few hundred more? 🙂

Of cours, KAI, wants to gain domestic designing and production capability, and our government is pushing them forward. I don’t know, I just can’t stop thinking that this is going to be a failure.

First time posting…..

Anyway, KMH and KAH are domestically designed and built helicopter programs. AH-X, plans to acquire heavy attack helicopter is still in play. AH-64D being the most likely candidate. A few years ago, AH-64D and Rooivalk were the two contenders remaining for the program. Because of budget restraints, AH-X had been held-off, but I’m sure it will resume in a few years and acquire the 40 Apache helos the Army wants. KMH, KAH, as far as the military is concerned, is a secondary program. I suspect KAH will be a light helo like Mangusta, not an Apache competitor.