Billion-Dollar Arms Deal: South Korea to Receive 36 Apache Helicopters From US

The United States has given the green light for the sale of 36 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to South Korea.

The deal is valued at about $3.5 billion, as confirmed by the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

Along with the helicopters, South Korea will receive a range of military equipment, including 76 T700-GE-701D engines, 456 AGM-114R2 missiles, and 152 AGM-179A air-to-ground missiles.

The package also includes 40 AAR-57 missile warning systems, designed to protect the helicopters from incoming threats.

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced in a press release that this deal supports U.S. foreign policy and national security by helping an important ally in the Indo-Pacific region.

Before the sale can go ahead, the U.S. Congress needs to approve it, which is a standard part of the process for international arms deals.

The DSCA is confident that the sale will help South Korea face current and future threats, providing a strong deterrent and contributing to stability in the region.

The AGM-179A guided missiles included in the deal allow the Apache helicopters to target and destroy armored vehicles from a safe distance of up to 8 kilometers. The AGM-114R2 missiles can be launched without needing direct visual contact with the target.

In August, Poland also signed a deal with the U.S. to purchase 96 AH-64E Apache helicopters.