SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- The Navy is seeking to acquire a new maritime patrol aircraft to replace its aging P-3CK fleet set to retire in 2030, a document submitted to a lawmaker showed Monday.
The Navy submitted a proposal for an envisioned "maritime patrol aircraft-III program" to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in January, outlining the need for the procurement and specifying requirements, such as desired capabilities, as part of a formal acquisition procedure, according to the document received by Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the People Power Party.
The JCS is expected to make a decision on whether to approve the acquisition plan by the end of this year.
The Navy has told Yu that it aims to field the new patrol planes in the early to mid-2030s, according to the lawmaker's office.
The P-3C variant maritime patrol aircraft serve as a core asset in the Navy's surveillance and anti-submarine operations. The Navy had operated 16 such planes, including eight P-3s and eight P-3CKs, prior to the May crash of a P-3CK in Pohang last year.
The Navy has gradually taken steps to resume operations of the entire P-3 fleet that was grounded following the crash, including eight P-3Cs and seven P-3CKs. The seven P-3CKs are set for decommissioning in 2030.
Asked if the retirement schedule would create a gap in its capabilities, the Navy said it plans to flexibly operate and manage the assets so as to avoid any potential capability gaps.
The Navy noted it had been pushing for the new procurement program since 2022, but the plan has been adjusted following last year's crash.
This undated file photo shows a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft. (Yonhap)
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