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4w ago

U.S. Clears Possible Sale of MH-60R Helicopters and Apache Upgrades to South Korea

The move reinforces U.S.–South Korea defense ties in response to North Korea’s weapons advances.

This photo, taken on April 1, 2026, shows MH-60R helicopters on display at a naval base in Changwon, 298 kilometers south of Seoul. (Yonhap)
An MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (Photo: U.S. Navy)

Overview

  • The State Department approved a potential sale to South Korea for 24 MH-60R naval helicopters and an upgrade package for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters.
  • The packages carry estimated prices of about US$3 billion for the MH-60R buy and US$1.2 billion for the Apache upgrades.
  • Seoul’s request includes 24 airborne low-frequency sonars, eight M240D 7.62 mm machine guns, eight AN/APG-78 Longbow fire-control radars, eight radar electronic units, and 40 AN/ARC-231A radios.
  • The MH-60R can hunt submarines, track surface ships, and patrol sea lanes, which the State Department said will strengthen deterrence against current and future threats.
  • The approval represents the maximum possible quantities and value and now goes to Congress for review, with Sikorsky building the MH-60R and Boeing leading the Apache work.