Dokdo class Strong Contender for Turkey LPD Program

Turkey, one of many nations currently upgrading its amphibious assault capability through naval aviation platforms appears to have its eyes on the South Korean Dokdo class. Turkey is seeking 1 (one) Landing Platform Dock (LPD) together with:

• 4 (four) Landing Craft Mechanics (LCM),
• 27 (twenty seven) Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV),
• 2 (two) Landing Craft Personnel Vehicles (LCVP)
• 1 (one) Commander Boat
• 1 (one) RHIB (Rubber Hull Inflated Boat)

Source: Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM)

Defense News points out that South Korea has already won two major bids with Turkey, for trainer aircraft and the development of a new tank. The tank contract is the second largest military export contract in South Korean history. South Korea's largest export of military equipment was a $1 billion license for artillery to... you guessed it, Turkey in 2001.

The same procurement official said that South Korean companies also were bidding for two more Turkish contracts: a program to build air defense systems, and another for the procurement of amphibious operation ships (Landing Platform Docks) for the Turkish Navy.

“If these contracts too go to Korea, we can then talk about a strategic partnership in defense industry between the two countries,” the official said. “Now, I would call it an emerging partnership.”

“There are several factors bringing the Turks and Koreans together. Eventually, Korea may become a top supplier for Turkey on systems which the Turks don’t have to buy from the United States,” said one U.S. industry source familiar with Turkish procurement matters.

Turkey joins Spain, Italy, Australia, Japan, and South Korea as countries either looking to build or already building a new amphibious warfare ships centered around aviation capabilities. I think it is noteworthy that the world is trending towards amphibious warfare designs more similar to the older US Iwo Jima class and US Wasp class. The French Mistral class and the Royal Navy Ark Royal refit are additional examples of the trend highlighting the importance of aviation capability on amphibious assault platforms. It is noteworthy because at the same time, the US is building a new amphibious warfare fleet, and building it without sufficient aviation capability.