South Korea plans to acquire 36 more imported attack helicopters
ROAK AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters during manoeuvres. Photo c/o Military Leak. |
The South Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has made known its intentions to acquired 36 more foreign-made attack helicopters for the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA).
The DAPA's Defense Project Promotion Committee revealed on 31 March 2021 that the new helicopters will be acquired under the second phase of the Large Attack Helicopter Project.
This project is meant to replace the ROKA's fleet of ageing Bell AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters.
The budget is set at KRW3.17 trillion (US$2.81 billion), and could begin the procurement process by 2022, with a scheduled delivery completion by 2028.
A competitive bidding process would be conducted for the acquisition, and is expected to supplement the ROKA's current fleet of 36 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters acquired during the first phase of the project.
The first phase has a budget of US$1.6 billion, although DAPA officials mentioned that the budget increase was meant to cover the effects of inflation and additional equipment and facilities.
The requirement for improved air support capabilities to ground forces was intended to compensate the reduction of manpower of US Army forces in South Korea, and the South Korean military's takeover of wartime operational command from the US military.
[1] Jane's
[2] Flight Global
[3] Yonhap News Agency
South Korea plans to acquire 36 more imported attack helicopters
Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal
on
April 04, 2021
Rating:
No comments