Report: Korean Marine Corps may add new LPX ship, UAVs

The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) has unveiled the possibility of adding a large platform experimental-type ship and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in an effort to improve amphibious and surveillance capabilities, the country’s news agency Yonhap reported. 

ROKS Dokdo. Photo: US Navy

“We are considering building the LPX (large platform experimental)-type ship capable of carrying aircraft in close cooperation with the Navy,” Lt. Gen. Jun Jin-goo, ROK Marine Corps Chief, was cited by Yonhap as saying.

During his address, Jun also expressed his desire to utilize robotics and other cutting-edge technologies with the aim to enhance the Marine Corps’ maritime power projection capabilities.

The announcement comes only a few months after the Republic of Korea Navy launched its second Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, ROKS Marado (LPH-6112), which is expected to be commissioned in 2020.

The first Dokdo-class ship, ROKS Dokdo (LPH-6111), was launched in 2005 and commissioned in 2007.

With this move, the Marine Corps allegedly wants to secure its own LPX ship apart from the two abovementioned Dokdo-class vessels. As explained by Jun, ROKMC intends to “expand its currently brigade-level capability for amphibious landing capabilities to division level by introducing more warships and aircraft.”