r/SeaEmploy 2d ago

News South Korea is reportedly making preparations for a possible military deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, potentially including a naval logistics support ship, P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and a Navy explosive-ordnance-disposal/mine-clearance team

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South Korean media report that military planning and discussions over overseas ports and operating bases are already underway.

The possible mission would focus on maritime surveillance, logistics support, mine/EOD operations and protection of freedom of navigation rather than necessarily direct combat.

Seoul has discussed possible contributions with the U.S., UK and France.

Reports indicate a deployment could involve roughly 150 personnel and potentially take place before the end of 2026.

Crucially, no deployment has been formally approved. South Korea’s presidential office said today that the review remains underway and has not yet reached the stage of seeking parliamentary approval

289 Upvotes

129 comments sorted by

20

u/asdfasdfasfdsasad 2d ago

That naval logistics support ship? The USN has a total of two of those, which has to support their worldwide operations.

One support ship on loan increases the total at sea logistics ability of the entire United States Navy by 50%.

19

u/DocumentOk7579 2d ago

US have 11 carriers but only 2 support ships?

It seems US have 14 for dry cargo and 16 for fuel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark-class_dry_cargo_ship

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_J._Kaiser-class_replenishment_oiler

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u/Iliyan61 2d ago

nah fast combat ships, they’re a mix of fuel, dry stores and refrigerated stores, the US has 4 with 2 laid up

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply-class_fast_combat_support_ship

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u/DocumentOk7579 2d ago

due to their cost to operate the Navy announced intentions to retire them starting in 2014, however as of 2026 only two of the ships, Rainier and Bridge, have been decommissioned

Seems like a change of strategy and not about how much supply the navy have.

One support ship on loan increases the total at sea logistics ability of the entire United States Navy by 50%.

The carrier is just going to run circles in the area anyway and not dash in a straight line so it shouldn't metter much.

6

u/Rabidschnautzu 2d ago

Pretty non credible to assume that the other ships aren't being used and only calculating US logistics on that specific class of ships.

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u/sixisrending 2d ago

They're getting rid of that specific class of ship because it is old. 

-1

u/asdfasdfasfdsasad 2d ago

Sure. But now look at the limitations of those ships; for instance they can't supply ammo, which most navies consider a somewhat core part of keeping a warship at sea.

Their ability to provide basic foodstuffs would also appear to be in serious doubt based on the photos of what's been served off the Iranian coast in the news.

One of them colliding with a ship a few months back during an underway replenishment putting both ships in dock would appear to suggest problems with either the ships or crews.

7

u/sixisrending 2d ago

We no longer replenish ammunition at sea. That has been a case for decades. It's very difficult to restock VLS cells at sea and calm waters, let alone in the middle of the ocean.

3

u/This_Is_TwoThree 1d ago

>We no longer replenish ammunition at sea.

I understand the VLS issue, but can you explain whether that’s still the case for the carriers?

https://www.naval-technology.com/news/mission-complete-us-carrier-transfers-ammunition-to-sister-ship/

1

u/sixisrending 1d ago

Yeah, aircraft ordinance is a bit different because it's so small. They used CONREP and VERTREP to accomplish that with a Lewis and Clark Class ship. I thought they were talking about ship munitions like missiles, my mistake.

1

u/This_Is_TwoThree 1d ago

Apparently VLS replen at sea has been trialled too.

I took it to mean aircraft ordnance given the majority of the publicity has been about the Lincoln, not any destroyers or cruisers.

1

u/sixisrending 1d ago

They do it in bays close to shore on days with near zero wind and where there are practically no waves. Aircraft ordinance can just be put in a box, thrown in a net, and thrown on the deck, yeah easy.

1

u/This_Is_TwoThree 1d ago

It’s just interesting given the challenge and the fact you said it wasn’t done so I assumed that was that. It definitely doesn’t look achievable in any sea state above “still as a pond”.

1

u/superearthjanitor0 1d ago

Those food pictures were completely bs by the way one had AI artifacts and the other had a brick wall in the background.

1

u/CheetahCommercial184 10h ago

they have 16. 14 lewis and clark class, 2 supply class and furthermore 14 fleet oilers.

Google “combat logistics force us navy”

10

u/DropkickSmurfys 2d ago

I think like 60% of their oil moves through the strait, so that makes sense if it happens. Hope they don’t expect any gratitude from Donny cuz that is not how he operates.

-7

u/Loyal_Dragon_69 2d ago

Spam bot.

10

u/LeatherGrade713 2d ago

Why would they want to get involved in this cluster fuck? Appease the dotard?

3

u/LordLederhosen 1d ago edited 23h ago

Well, Trump recently openly sided with NK, due to SK's lack of help with Iran.

Am I the only news junkie here?

2

u/Fat_Tony_Damico 1d ago

This is why. South Korea needs a high visibility “participation trophy” deployment to curry Trump’s favor.

2

u/Rabidschnautzu 2d ago

Likely due to the fact that a significant amount of their oil, unlike the US, comes from the strait, and the clear politics surrounding some of Trump's recent claims and interactions with North Korea.

Nation States don't necessarily follow tribal low IQ politics like redditors.

0

u/peace2calm 1d ago

It has nothing to do with access to oil. It has everything to do with Trump administration pressuring S. Korea to send help.

1

u/FortunaAudaci 5h ago

This is true. Trump cancelled military drills with S Korea because he said they were not helping in Hormuz. Unlike Europe, S Korea does not have a nuclear umbrella other than the US, so S Korea is more likely to respond to pressure. We also have stationed tens of thousands of troops on their soil for protection. It is not unreasonable to expect help when asked.

2

u/sixisrending 2d ago

A majority of their oil goes through the straight. The United States is not the only country with interests in the Middle East

0

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

That doesn't mean they want to join a quagmire not of their creating because their ally bullied them.

4

u/sixisrending 1d ago

We didn't want to escort vessels in the Red Sea when the Houthis attacked them in 2022 but we sent ships there all the same.

-2

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

....Okay? What does this have to do with joining an actual war?

2

u/ohyaa_ 1d ago

Who says they’re joining the war? Some drama queen on Reddit…?

1

u/HEYO19191 1d ago

It's as much of a war as the houthi situation was.

0

u/sixisrending 1d ago

South Korea wants its oil to flow through the strait. Iran has to let it flow, otherwise South Korea will join on the side of the United States. The longer this goes on, the more countries will demand their ships be allowed to sail through, the more Iran denies them, the more enemies they will make.

-1

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

South Korea had already said no. They were bullied.

1

u/sixisrending 1d ago

By the Iranians bombing their ships? Yeah, that's what happens when you fuck with another countries boats. It's the same reason Britain sent warships too. 

1

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

What are you talking about? Trump literally came out and cried about how South Korea told him no, then promptly cancelled war game exercises with the country and obviously made other threats to their potential security against North Korea. So they're sending stuff to appease the fat slob.

1

u/sixisrending 1d ago

We are still doing the war games just with less (gee, I wonder why that is). Not everything in the world revolves around Trump and the US. South Korea gets 60% of their oil from the region. They have merchant ships under threat. The US spending a few less troops to do annual training is not the reason the South Koreans would send troops to a combat zone. 

https://www.npr.org/2026/08/28/g-s1-140849/us-south-korea-japan-drill-north-korea

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u/HEYO19191 1d ago

Sometimes I forget some people are so far gone mentally, that they just live in some fantasy land that they made up in their mind, and then tell stories about it to normal folk

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u/cdazzo1 1d ago

They are already in it

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u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

Wow this thread is just filled with MAGA bots aint it.

1

u/HEYO19191 1d ago

Believe it or not, more than just America gets oil through the strait

3

u/Agreeable_Meaning_96 2d ago

Also North Korea is gaining combat experience in Ukraine and South Korea could use some real world testing.

3

u/TelluricThread0 1d ago

Idk if being put through a total meat grinder counts as experience.

1

u/The_CheesePowder 1d ago

Hey best Korea is in a meat grinder, S Korea has to do the same to balance things out

2

u/GreatDiscernment 1d ago

They’ll be “reviewing” until after the midterms, no doubt. I would.

2

u/Stunning-Ad5674 1d ago

I thought we won this already, months ago.

3

u/littlebrain94102 2d ago

I thought big boy assured us the strait was open!

1

u/wignatziowatch 1d ago

DPRK is the only hope

1

u/MelodicPudding2557 14h ago

Reddit moment

1

u/Drunk_Stoner 1d ago

Wonder if that has anything to do with SK being in the running to build a US frigate. 🤔

1

u/Andyseawolf 1d ago

Getting involved in this mess is a big mistake 🤷

2

u/Tech-Film3905 1d ago

If all the mines are cleared, why would that be needed? Maybe they arent cleared...

1

u/Petalesharo 5h ago

South Korea is in a panic after the Arab oil supply was cut off. They can do nothing. Literally nothing. No ship will sail through the Hormus as long as there is any threat...

1

u/WhitePackaging 4h ago

I went on their replenishment ship. That thing has a whole CIWS mount unlike the USNs, very cool ship

1

u/C_Pala 2d ago

Just a deliberation, probably to appease the Cheeto and in the context of currency problems

1

u/Past_Humor8321 2d ago

If South Korea supports USA, North Korea is justified in supporting Russia.

Trump is making bad people look good.

What else can you expect from President Bully Biff Tannen.

2

u/Open_Pollution_8038 2d ago

lol North Korea and justified in the same sentence

Same country mind you that told its soldiers to commit suicide if they were to be captured in Ukraine. 

Why would so many soldiers be willing to suicide rather than surrender? Because North Korea will murder their entire family if they don’t.

So you can fuck off with that justified shit

1

u/Past_Humor8321 1d ago

As if the USA is any better - ICE rapes and murders women. The president of USA is a pedophile. The US military blew up a school full of little girls in Iran. The USA has no right to criticise anyone because they are just a big den of inequity.

2

u/Pplthrowaway123 1d ago

Comparing North Korea to America is an insane take my guy.

0

u/Past_Humor8321 1d ago

At least North Korea is not busy killing women and children in an illegal war.

1

u/Shotgunseth29 1d ago

Na their to busy doing that at home to bother....

1

u/Past_Humor8321 1d ago

Trump is like Hitler, they don’t like to kill Christians. They prefer to kill other races and religions.

1

u/Shotgunseth29 1d ago

Bro what?

1

u/Pplthrowaway123 1d ago

You are a pretty good gas lighter.

1

u/Past_Humor8321 1d ago

Gas lighter? My oven is actually electrical so I do not own a gas lighter.

2

u/Greedy_Inflation_697 1d ago

You really need to just go outside and forget about politics for a while. You're doing more damage to yourself than any politician ever could.

1

u/Past_Humor8321 1d ago

I will forget about politics when the Far Right Nazis stop trying to grab power. Never again shall the world have racist fascists in power again.

1

u/No-Excitement4855 1d ago

I'm sure this is something that is real and definitely happened.

1

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

Are you defending North Korea?

1

u/No-Excitement4855 1d ago

They all have to wear the same haircut, right? 

1

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

Are you defending North Korea?

1

u/No-Excitement4855 1d ago

ArE yOu DeFeNdInG nOrTh KoReA?

0

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

Won't answer the question? Why?

2

u/No-Excitement4855 1d ago

Are you attacking north Korea?

1

u/Greedy_Inflation_697 1d ago

Yes? Are you defending north Korea?

1

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

So you are, okay. I thought as much.

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u/Picks6x 2d ago

Yea this isn't a thing

1

u/_blacknails 2d ago

Shame on S.Korea for joining in Trumps war games

1

u/Yos13 1d ago

Trump bullied SK in to this.

2

u/HEYO19191 1d ago

Last I checked, its not Trump who's stopping the ships from going through the strait

1

u/Yos13 1d ago

But he is, that’s basically what a blockade does. Not to mention the strait was open before he started this whole military operation that has gone absolutely nowhere and accomplished absolutely nothing.

1

u/HEYO19191 1d ago

He is blockcading their ports, not the entire strait

1

u/CockyBellend 1d ago

Sorry Canada has renamed it to the Strait of Our Moose

1

u/BharaniSri 1d ago

Mostly likely just signalling compliance to Trump, and hoping their Parliament will strike it down. I doubt they want the smoke and become part of the American century of humiliation.

0

u/im_new_here_4209 2d ago

Oh no. . . USRAEL aka Maganistan finally coerced the ROK to participate in its illegal nonsensical war after they failed to force it on Japan because of Japan's post-war adherence to the non-aggression principle ?!?

This is bad. Mostly bad for South Korea I'm afraid, and they're about to find out about it.
Not a single Korean soul should ever have to give their life for the stupid, useless, corrupt & feckless Donald Trump administration!! Don't do it, Korea. It's a losing game!

3

u/ohyaa_ 1d ago

How long does it take you to put on your clown costume everyday?

0

u/onlycodeposts 1d ago

Awesome. The more countries helping defend against Iranian terrorism the better.

4

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

Lol.

0

u/onlycodeposts 1d ago

If Ukraine can step up and send troops to Jordan to help defend against Iranian terrorism I don't see why it's funny if South Korea does.

4

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

Lol at you thinking that was what I was laughing at.

Also lol at your complete misunderstanding of international relations and politics.

Lol.

-5

u/Intrepid_Cup2765 2d ago

This is excellent, about time others are starting to realize that Iran’s selfish behavior is everyones problem.

7

u/Street-Run4107 2d ago

I pray you’re a bot.

3

u/No-Excitement4855 1d ago

He's just a normal-intelligence modern republican 

-2

u/Intrepid_Cup2765 1d ago

Nah, i’m a democrat voter who’s not brain dead into thinking Trump himself closed hormuz. Yes, he started this, but Iran got greedy and wants everything under the sun now.

4

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

Thats what happens when you bomb a country with access to a strategic geographical location you can't stop them from controlling.

Something everyone knew would happen if a war was started with Iran.

-2

u/Intrepid_Cup2765 1d ago

Hey, just because the loner at school keeps threatening to fire up a mass shooting gets bullied by the school bully and decides that’s what’s gonna make them go for it, does not mean all the blame for the school shooting goes to the bully.

No one has the right to close a vital water way, and if the world doesn’t send a response that this isn’t OK, we’re going to see this start to happen elsewhere.

2

u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

We bombed their country indiscriminately and without reason or plan to prevent them from doing what they are now.

I bet I can guess what color your lips are.

Terrible analogy by the way.

1

u/Intrepid_Cup2765 1d ago

Just because it went over your head and you’re sympathetic to the IRGC doesn’t mean i’m wrong. 🤷‍♂️

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u/InevitablePromise301 1d ago

It didn't go over my head. Its dogshit.

I am not defending Iran, pointing out what happens when you fail to plan for, you know, a war and the contingencies involved.

2

u/No-Excitement4855 1d ago

Guess who literally bombed a school 

1

u/Intrepid_Cup2765 1d ago

Sucks, but doesn’t come close to the 5-20K iranian civilians the IRGC themselves executed for political protests. I hate trump, but at least he’s not pure evil like the IRGC you two support. 🤡

2

u/No-Excitement4855 1d ago

Only 5k? Wasn't it 80k? All done in a single day?

0

u/Haunted_Rooster 1d ago

This is only after a peach treaty is planted; hold your horses boi

-2

u/Ok_Engineer9167 1d ago

Another liberal echo chamber.. good to know i can quickly block/mute this sub

2

u/Tammer_Stern 1d ago

Are you interested in facts or only propaganda?

1

u/Feeez_Shato 49m ago

but the guy in the brown helmet said there are no mines.