Babcock and Hyundai signs a MoU for the future Korean CVX aircraft carrier.

According to information published by Babcock International Group on September 1, 2021, the aerospace, defence and security company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co Ltd (HHI), affirming the strong relationship between the two companies as focus builds on the Republic of Korea’s CVX Aircraft Carrier Programme opportunity.
Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Artist rendering of the future CVX aircraft carrier (Picture source: SeaWaves)

Babcock’s established in-country business in the Republic of Korea, Babcock Korea, brings a wealth of global experience in through-life programme support from concept, to design and build, to ongoing operational support of naval assets in the Republic of Korea and its South East Asian allies.

Babcock has firmly reinforced its commitment to the Republic of Korea and its support to the Korean Ministry of National Defence (MND) through investment in an assembly, maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Busan, where Babcock currently assembles equipment for a growing number of Republic of Korea naval programmes.

John Howie, Babcock Group’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, signed the historic MoU on behalf of the Company with Mr. Sam-Hyun Ka, CEO, Korean Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (KSOE), the holding company of HHI at the Babcock Korea Limited facility in Busan. The agreement brings the two parties closer together, recognising that working collaboratively their individual expertise and capabilities can further support the design and build of the new CVX Aircraft Carrier that the Republic of Korea is intending to commission.

The CVX is a new class of aircraft carrier currently under development for the South Korean Navy. The planned development of the class was formally announced and funded as part of the 2020~2024 Mid-Term Defense Plan, published in December 2020. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense confirmed in August 2020 that twenty F-35Bs would be procured for the CVX. In terms of rotary wing aviation, the ship will accommodate the future Marine Attack Helicopters of the ROK Marine Corps.

The new aircraft carrier will have a length of 263 m, a wide of 46.6 m, and a displacement of 45,000 tons. Se will have the capability to reach a top speed of 27 knots (50 km/h). The ship will be able to carry up to 16 short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, on its flight deck and 12 more in its hangar.