South Korea restarts tender for ASW naval helicopter acquisition

An AW159 Wildcat of the ROKN, with an Incheon-class frigate at the background. Photo c/o ROKN.

The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has restarted the program to acquire a second batch of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). 

DAPA released a new Request for Proposal (RFP) running until 16 August 2019 for twelve (12) new helicopters with an expected project cost worth KRW900 billion (US$804 million), with American helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft and Anglo-Italian firm Leonardo expected to be the frontrunners with their MH-60R Seahawk and AW159 Wildcat, respectively.

This is the third attempt at the project after DAPA issued two earlier RFPs for 12 helicopters, with only Leonardo responding. But Sikorsky made a separate pitch to sell the MH-60R Seahawk through US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

The ROKN already operates eight (8) Leonardo AW159 Wildcats acquired in an earlier competition after outperforming the Sikorsky MH-60R, and the ROKN was said to be satisfied with the decision. The earlier competition also confirmed that the MH-60R Seahawk is twice more expensive than the AW159 Wildcat.

ROKN Wildcats are equipped with the Thales Compact FLASH dipping sonar, a Selex Seaspray 7000E AESA surface search radar, and are armed with the Rafael Spike NLOS missile and LIGNEx1 K745 Blue Shark anti-submarine torpedoes.



[1] The Diplomat
[2] Jane’s Defence Industry
[3] Korea Times