US Approves $4.2 Billion in Helicopters, Upgrades for Seoul
The State Department approved potential sales of up to $4.2 billion in helicopters and related equipment to South Korea.
Seoul wants to buy 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters made by Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Sikorsky division, along with navigation, sonar and other equipment valued at up to $3 billion. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft provide naval forces with anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.
In a separate deal, South Korea requested AH-64E Apache attack helicopter upgrades worth up to $1.2 billion. The sale, for which Boeing Co. is the main contractor, includes eight AN/APG-78 Longbow fire control radars jointly produced by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corp.
The State Department said the purchases would strengthen the security of a key Indo-Pacific ally. According to the announcement, the airframes and upgrade equipment would improve South Korea’s ability to respond to current and future threats and provide credible deterrence.
The approval, which is subject to congressional review, reflects the maximum possible quantities and value of the sale.
