South Korea Set to Acquire 36 Apache Helicopters in $3.5 Billion Defense Deal

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of AH-64E Apache Helicopters and related elements of logistics and program support for an estimated cost of $3.5 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested to buy up to thirty-six (36) AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopters; up to seventy-six (76) T700-GE-701D Engines (72 installed, 4 spares); up to thirty-six (36) AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors

(M-TADS/PNVS); up to fourteen (14) AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Mast Mounted Assembly (MMA); up to fourteen (14) AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronic Units (REU); up to fourteen (14) AN/APR-48B Modernized-Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFI); up to four hundred fifty-six (456) AGM-114R2 (N) Hellfire Missiles; up to six (6) M36E8 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); up to one hundred fifty-two (152) AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM); up to forty (40) AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (36 installed, 4 spares). The following non-MDE items will also be included: AN/AVR-2B laser detecting sets; AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; IDM-401 improved data modems; Enhanced Image Intensifier (EI2) cameras; AN/ARN-149 (V)3 automatic direction finders; ASN-157 Doppler Radar Velocity Sensors; AN/APN-209 radar altimeters; AN/PYQ-10(C) Simple Key Loader; Airborne Global Positioning System (GPS)/Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (EGI); AN/APR-39C(V)1+ Radar Signal Detecting sets; ARC-220 High Frequency Communication Systems; KIV-77 Mark XIIA IFF Crypto Applique; Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) software update; M230E-1 30mm automatic gun; M139 AWS 20mm automatic gun; M261 rocket launchers; M299 missile launchers; 2.75-inch rockets; 30mm rounds; MG62 Cartridge Impulse BBU-35/N; A965 cartridges, 25.4mm rounds; M839 decoys; L410 flares; M206 aircraft countermeasures decoy flares; Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PADs); U.S. Government engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of program and logistics support. The estimated total cost is $3.5 billion.

This 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.

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 proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Boeing, located in Mesa, AZ; and Lockheed Martin, located in Orlando, FL. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.