The US State Department has approved a potential $3.5 billion sale of Apache helicopters, related equipment and missiles to South Korea. “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,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin will be the main contractors of the deal, according to the Pentagon. While the State Department has approved the sale to South Korea, Congress must still sign off. South Korea would also buy up to 76 GE T700 engines, two installed in each helicopter, plus four more spares. And each helicopter would get its own AN/ASQ-170 Modernised Target Acquisition and Designation Sight. Along with the helicopters, South Korea also wants to buy hundreds of missiles to arm them — including 456 Hellfire Missiles, six Captive Air Training Missiles and 152 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles.
In addition, the State Department announced three other Foreign Military Sales (FMS) approvals: CH-47 and AH-64 Helicopter training for the Netherlands (estimated $305 million cost), M1156A1 Precision Guidance Kits and related equipment for Finland (estimated $70 million) and FGM-148F Javelin Missiles and related equipment for Australia (estimated $100 million).
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