The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of 36 AH-64E Apache Helicopters as well as related logistics and program support to Korea at an estimated cost of $3.5 billion, the U.S.-headquartered Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.
The sub-agency under the U.S. Department of Defense announced Monday (local time) that South Korea had requested to purchase as many as 36 Apache helicopters, along with other necessary related elements and services. The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale deal to Korea.
Also included on the list of proposed purchase are up to 76 T700-GE-701D engines (72 installed, four spares); up to 36 AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors; up to 14 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Mast Mounted Assembly (MMA) and up to 14 AN/APG-78 FCR with Radar Electronic Units (REU), among others.
The estimated total cost of the proposed sale is $3.5 billion.
The DSCA said the proposed sale is expected to serve national interests and national security objectives of both the U.S. and South Korea by enhancing political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in regional operations. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces,” the DSCA stated.
Aiming to strengthen defense capabilities against N. Korea
The Apache, which is evaluated as the highest-performing attack helicopter currently in existence, capable of day and night and all-weather operations, has a maximum cruising speed of 269 kilometers per hour. In terms of armaments, it can carry up to four Stinger air-to-air missiles in addition to Hellfire missiles.
Previously, the Republic of Korea Army imported 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters from the U.S. and has been operating them since 2017.
In 2022, Seoul’s Ministry of National Defense approved the basic strategy for the AH-64E upgrade project, aiming to significantly enhance the capabilities of the AH-64E Guardian attack helicopters currently operated by the country’s Army.
Thus, the approved proposed purchase of another 36 Apache helicopters by South Korea included not only the sale of the additional helicopters but also operational support systems for upgrading the performance of the existing Apaches currently in operation.
A military expert commented that this purchase can be seen as replacing the aging Cobra helicopters currently used by the ROK Army.
“Given that North Korea has more tanks than South Korea, and that the Apache Guardian is crucial for blocking their hovercraft in the event of an emergency, this purchase would strengthen South Korea’s military capabilities in that regard,” Kim Dae-young, a military analyst, told The Korea Times, Tuesday.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Apache attack helicopter being operational in the U.S. military. As the Apache has undergone continuous upgrades, while the current Apache Guardian may look similar on the outside, it is essentially a completely new helicopter with entirely upgraded internal systems.”
The U.S. sells military weapons overseas through either Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). In the FMS process, the foreign government importing the weapons makes a contract directly with the U.S. government, and final approval is required through a U.S. congressional review process. Korea’s proposed purchase of the Apache helicopters also goes through the FMS method.
The DSCA administers the FMS program for the Department of Defense. Under FMS, the U.S. government uses the Defense Department’s acquisition system to procure defense articles and services on behalf of its partners. Eligible countries may purchase defense articles and services with their own funds. ( Source: Korea Times)
