U.S. greenlights $3.5 billion sale of Apache attack helicopters to South Korea

Korea is set to purchase $3.5 billion worth of U.S. Apache attack helicopters and related logistical and support elements after the United States greenlit the sale Monday.

Apache choppers take off at U.S. Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on Monday as South Korea and the United States kicked off the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise for an 11-day run to bolster their joint defense readiness amid advancing North Korean military threats. [NEWS1]

Korea is set to purchase $3.5 billion worth of U.S. Apache attack helicopters and related logistical and support elements after the United States greenlit the sale Monday.

The massive arms deal comes as both nations engage in early negotiations on defense cost-sharing, seeking to avoid potential uncertainties ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), under the U.S. Department of Defense, announced Monday that the State Department approved the proposed government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS). Korea had asked to buy up to 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters, 76 T700-GE-701D engines, 456 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles, 152 AGM-179A joint air-to-ground missiles and 40 AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, among other equipment.

"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 DSCA stated in a release. "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 DSCA has delivered the certification notifying Congress of the possible sale, as the FMS transaction requires congressional endorsement to be finalized.

Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) confirmed on the same day that the second phase of its heavy attack helicopter project is progressing as planned. The Korean military integrated 36 Apache helicopters through the project's first phase and decided in 2021 to pursue a second phase to acquire additional Apache helicopters from abroad.

The AH-64E Apache is considered the most advanced attack helicopter in existence, capable of conducting day and night operations in all weather conditions. It has a maximum cruising speed of 269 kilometers per hour (145 knots) and can be equipped with up to four Stinger air-to-air missiles in addition to Hellfire missiles. The helicopter can also carry up to 76 70-millimeter rockets and 1,200 rounds for its 30-millimeter cannon.

The purchase comes amid negotiations between Korea and the United States over the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing. While the arms deal is not directly linked to the negotiations and is part of Korea's planned acquisition of heavy attack helicopters, it is seen as a way for the nation to underscore its contribution to the alliance and serve as a valuable bargaining chip. Between April and Aug. 12, the two countries have held six rounds of talks in Seoul and Washington. They are working to conclude the negotiations before the U.S. presidential election in November.

The deal could also appeal to former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate in the upcoming election. Trump has previously expressed a strong preference for "countries that purchase American-made weapons" during the Korea-U.S. summit in April 2019.

"In the SMA negotiations, it's difficult to calculate and prove the specific costs demonstrating Korea's contribution to the alliance. However, mentioning large-scale weapons purchases like this in the negotiations could be meaningful," said Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean Studies at Ewha Womans University. "There is a need to consider collecting and using such examples to enhance our negotiating power, especially given Trump's potential return."

BY PARK HYUN-JU [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]