U.S. Approves Sale of 24 Seahawks and Apache Equipment to South Korea, Worth 6 Trillion Won

[The Financial News] The Trump administration has approved the export of $4.2 billion worth of helicopters and related equipment to South Korea, or about 6.26 trillion won. Final delivery still requires approval from the U.S. Congress.
The United States Department of State said in a press release on its website on the 18th local time that it had approved Foreign Military Sales (FMS) requested by the South Korean government for 24 MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopters and related weapons and equipment. The Seahawk is a maritime operations helicopter developed based on the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk used by the U.S. Army.
The State Department estimated the sale at $3 billion. Lockheed Martin is the principal contractor. The department said the sale would "enhance the Republic of Korea Navy's ability to respond to current and future threats by strengthening its multi-role helicopter capabilities and providing a credible force to deter adversaries." The package includes navigation systems, low-frequency sonar, machine guns, engines, night vision equipment, electronic support systems, and multi-mode radar, in addition to the helicopters themselves.
In a separate press release issued the same day, the State Department said it had authorized Boeing to export $1.2 billion worth of related equipment to South Korea to improve the capabilities of the AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter. The department said the sale would "strengthen the Republic of Korea Army's medium attack helicopter capabilities." The items include equipment needed to upgrade the Apache, such as fire control radar mast-mounted assemblies, eight radar electronics units, 40 radios, tactical communication terminals, missile warning systems, manned-unmanned teaming systems, and night vision cameras.
For the two sales, the State Department said, "This sale will support U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the security of a key ally that is an important force for political stability and economic development in the Indo-Pacific region." It added that the deal would "not alter the basic military balance in the region" and would have "no negative impact on U.S. defense readiness." The sales must still go through congressional approval before they can be finalized.



pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter