US government approves MH-60R sale, Apache support for South Korea

A Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk operates with the Republic of Korea Navy's 62 Maritime Helicopter Group at Jinhae. (DAPA)

The US State Department has approved USD4.2 billion in sales of new helicopters and systems for South Korea's military under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanism.

On 18 May, the State Department said that it approved South Korea's request to procure 24 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). The State Department also approved a sale of systems to support the Republic of Korea Army's (RoKA's) Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian upgrade programme.

South Korea also seeks 700-GE-401D engines as well as AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Devices (NVDs), AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders and AN/ALE-47 airborne countermeasures dispensers for the Seahawks. Other key systems include AN/AAS-44C(V) multi-spectral targeting systems, AN/ALQ-210 electronic support measures (ESM) systems and APS-153(V) multi-mode radars.

South Korea also seeks 24 airborne low frequency sonars and eight M240D 7.62mm machine guns for the Seahawks The proposed acquisition has an estimated value of USD3 billion, according to the notice.

South Korea's request to purchase the 24 MH-60Rs follows its earlier December 2020 contract with Lockheed Martin (Sikorsky) covering the acquisition of 12 Seahawks.

Separately, the State Department's 18 May approval of new systems for South Korea's AH-64E Apache Guardian upgrade programme covers eight AN/APG-78 fire control radars (FCR) mast mounted assemblies (MMA) and eight Longbow FCR radar electronic units.

Other key items include 40 AN/ARC-231A (RT 1987) very/ultra high frequency (V/UHF) radios, Small Tactical Terminal (STT) KOR-24A with Link 16 capability, Improved Data Modem-401, AAR-57 common missile warning system (CMWS), and enhanced Image Intensifier (EI2) cameras.