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.
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.