{
  "id": 15544520,
  "title": "Navy seeks to acquire new maritime patrol aircraft to replace aging P-3CK fleet: lawmaker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/navy-seeks-to-acquire-new-maritime-patrol-aircraft-to-replace-aging-p",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T02:25:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yonhap News",
    "slug": "yonhap-news",
    "url": "https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20261019003700315"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul, October 19 - The South Korean Navy is seeking approval for a new maritime patrol aircraft program to replace the aging P-3CK fleet, which is set to retire in 2030, according to a document shared with lawmaker Rep. Yu Yong-weon of the People Power Party. The Navy submitted its proposal for the Maritime Patrol Aircraft-III program to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in January, outlining the need for procurement and specifying requirements, including desired capabilities, as part of a formal acquisition process. The JCS is expected to decide on the plan's approval by the end of this year. The Navy aims to deploy the new patrol planes in the early to mid-2030s, according to Yu's office.\n\nThe P-3C variant maritime patrol aircraft are a key asset in the Navy's surveillance and anti-submarine operations. Before the May crash of a P-3CK in Pohang last year, the Navy operated 16 such planes, comprising eight P-3s and eight P-3CKs. Following the crash, the Navy has gradually resumed operations of the entire P-3 fleet, with eight P-3Cs and seven P-3CKs currently in service, set to decommission in 2030. The Navy stated that it plans to operate and manage the assets flexibly to avoid any potential capability gaps upon the retirement of the P-3CKs. The Navy has been pushing for the new procurement program since 2022, with the plan adjusted following the aircraft crash.",
  "summary": "SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- The Navy is seeking to acquire a new maritime patrol ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}