US approves US$3.5 billion sale of military helicopters to South Korea

Sale will improve security of major ally that’s ‘a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,’ US said

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An AH-64 Apache helicopter during a live-fire drill in Pocheon, South Korea on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 5:57am, 20 Aug 2024Updated: 12:05pm, 20 Aug 2024

The United States on Monday announced its approval of a US$3.5-billion sale to South Korea of up to 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and related equipment, including missiles.

“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 Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.

The sale will improve “the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region”, the statement said, using the US foreign policy term for the Asia-Pacific region.

The State Department approved the possible sale of the helicopters to South Korea, and the DSCA on Monday provided the required notification to Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction.

South Korean special police forces and soldiers conduct an anti-terror drill at a bank in Daegu, South Korea on Monday as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise. Photo: EPA-EFE

The principal contractors for the deal will be Boeing and Lockheed Martin, the DSCA said.