A U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopter trains over the Arabian Gulf in April 2020. (Cody Rich/U.S. Army)
The U.S. State Department has greenlighted the sale of 36 Apache attack helicopters to South Korea — a deal potentially worth $3.5 billion.
South Korea requested the AH-64E Apaches, along with 72 General Electric turboshaft engines, 400 Hellfire missiles, 438 Stinger missiles and other spare parts and equipment, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Monday.
The sale must be approved by Congress before becoming final.
“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 announcement states.
The primary vendors in the proposed sale are defense contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
A spokesman for South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration confirmed the request for attack helicopters by phone Tuesday but declined further comment on details of the proposed sale, citing security concerns.
South Korean government officials customarily speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.
The country is attempting to buy attack helicopters to improve the high-mobility maneuvering capabilities of its ground forces, the officer said.
The South Korean army in January 2017 acquired 36 Apaches from the United States. The Ministry of National Defense decided in November 2022 to add a similar number of helicopters to the army fleet, according to the spokesman.
“We are currently in negotiations with the U.S. side, planning to sign the arms deal within this year. The contract signing procedure will proceed according to the results of the negotiations,” he said.
