Korea approves $2.4 billion purchase of 20 Seahawk helicopters

Korea on Tuesday approved a plan to purchase an additional 20 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters capable of detecting and attacking enemy submarines and vessels underwater, the state arms procurement agency said.

A defense project promotion committee of the agency approved the 3.24 trillion-won ($2.4 billion) project to acquire more Seahawk helicopters through 2032, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The Seahawk, manufactured by U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, boasts a maximum speed of 333 kilometers per hour (207 miles per hour) and is designed to handle multiple missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare and search and rescue operations.

The move comes as the Navy seeks to replace its aging fleet of Lynx helicopters deployed on destroyers or frigates with overseas purchases.

The Seahawk helicopters are equipped with enhanced capabilities for anti-submarine and anti-ship operations, including improved detection of underwater and surface targets, compared to the existing Lynx helicopters.

Yonhap