South Korea announced that it has approved the procurement of approximately 20 MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters for its navy…
Under the roughly $2.4 billion program, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has selected the Sikorsky MH-60R helicopter for the second phase.
The program, with a total cost projected at 3.24 trillion won ($2.4 billion), is planned to run through 2032.
The new procurement builds on the 12 MH-60R helicopters previously ordered by the South Korean Navy.
The procurement is intended to be carried out through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanism and is aimed at gradually replacing the Navy’s Lynx helicopters.
The Seahawk is designed to operate from warships and is capable of performing anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue missions.
The helicopter can reach a maximum speed of approximately 333 km/h and can carry a wide range of sensor and weapon systems.
It is equipped with a maritime surveillance radar, electro-optical and infrared systems, and electronic warfare systems.
The MH-60R can employ Hellfire missiles against surface targets and Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes in anti-submarine warfare missions.
The combination of its sensor and weapon systems enables the helicopter to carry out the full range of missions involved in detecting and identifying a submarine, tracking it, and, when necessary, engaging it…