--Light Aircraft Carrier acquisition will formally begin in 2021
--Light Aircraft Carrier (30,000 tons empty) will embark STOVL fighter jets and will serve as flagship of the mobile fleet
--In order to protect sea lanes and overseas Korean interests, the mobile fleet will be strengthened through the acquisition of additional AEGIS destroyers (KDX-III Batch-II) and KDDX next-generation destroyers.
--In addition to fielding 3,000 ton attack submarines (KSS-III Batch-I), new 3,600 ton and 4,000 ton submarines with increased armament and endurance will be constructed (KSS-III Batch-II/III).
--24hr maritime surveillance coverage will be increased by 1.5
--Marine Corps will continue to acquire new utility helicopters, attack helicopters, fast landing ships, and new KAAV-II amphibious assault vehicles to strengthen their amphibious capability
I noted long ago that South Korea's defense priorities are shifting from the DMZ to blue water defenses--that is, resisting China.
Although I'll add that a mobile fleet also increases South Korea's depth for defense against North Korea and allows for counter-offensives on North Korea's coastal flanks, along with the sizable South Korean Marine Corps.
