The RoKA currently operates 36 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters across two squadrons. The acquisition of 36 additional Apaches is expected to enhance the army's combat capabilities. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
The US Department of State has approved a possible sale of 36 new Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to South Korea under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) already operates 36 AH-64Es, which were procured from 2016. South Korea requested the purchase of a second batch of 36 in 2021.
The potential sale, which has an estimated value of USD3.5 billion, also covers 76 T700-GE-701D engines (which includes four spares). Also included are AN/ASQ-170 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernised Pilot Night Vision Sensors (M-TADS/PNVS), according to information published by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
Other key systems in the sale comprise 14 AN/APG-78 Longbow Fire Control Radars (FCRs) with Mast Mounted Assembly (MMA) and 14 AN/APG-78 Longbow FCRs with Radar Electronic Units (REU). Also included are 14 AN/APR-48B Modernized Radar Frequency Interferometers (MRFIs).
Weapons systems within the proposed sale include 456 AGM-114R2 (N) Hellfire missiles and 152 AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM). Other weapons and munitions to be sold include M230E-1 30 mm automatic guns, M139 AWS 20 mm automatic guns, M261 rocket launchers, M299 missile launchers, 2.75 inch rockets, 30 mm rounds, MG62 Cartridge Impulse BBU-35/N, A965 cartridges, and 25.4 mm rounds. Six M36E8 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM) are also included in the possible sale.
South Korea has also requested defensive systems within the sale package, such as 40 AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, AN/AVR-2B laser detecting sets, M839 decoys, L410 flares, M206 aircraft countermeasures decoy flares, Cartridge Actuated Devices/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PADs), and Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) software update.
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