The Republic of Korea’s request includes a significant arsenal of advanced military hardware. Beyond the Apache helicopters, the package features up to 76 T700-GE-701D engines, 36 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS), 14 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Mast Mounted Assembly and Radar Electronic Units, and 14 Modernized-Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI).
In terms of armaments, the package includes 456 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles, 152 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM), and an array of additional missiles, training equipment, and spare parts. The deal also encompasses various non-major defence equipment (non-MDE) items, including advanced laser detecting sets, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders, and global positioning systems.
The Apache helicopters and associated equipment are intended to bolster South Korea’s defence capabilities, enhancing its ability to counter existing and emerging threats. According to the State Department, this sale aligns with U.S. foreign policy objectives and strengthens national security by reinforcing the defence posture of a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” a State Department official stated.
The acquisition of these Apaches will provide South Korea with a credible deterrent against potential adversaries and enhance its ability to participate in regional security operations. The ROK’s military is expected to integrate this new equipment seamlessly into its current forces.
The principal contractors for this sale will be Boeing, headquartered in Mesa, Arizona, and Lockheed Martin, based in Orlando, Florida. The deal may include offset agreements, which are common in such international military sales, though specific terms will be determined in negotiations between South Korea and the contractors.
