DAPA-US choppers

▲ This photo shows MH-60R Seahawk helicopters displayed at the Naval Air Command in Changwon, about 380 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on April 1, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Tuesday approved a plan to additionally purchase some 20 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters capable of detecting and attacking enemy submarines and vessels underwater, the state arms procurement agency said.

A defense project promotion committee of the agency approved the 3.24 trillion-won (US$2.4 billion) project to acquire more Seahawk helicopters through 2032, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The Seahawk, manufactured by U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp., boasts a maximum speed of 333 kph and is designed to handle multiple missions, including anti-submarine, anti-ship warfare, as well as search and rescue operations.

The move comes as the Navy seeks to replace the aging fleet of Lynx helicopters placed on top of naval destroyers or frigates with overseas purchases.

The Seahawk helicopters are equipped with enhanced capabilities for anti-submarine and anti-ship operations, including improved detection of underwater and surface targets, compared with the existing Lynx helicopters.

(END)

[Copyright ⓒ K-VIBE. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution are prohibited.]