US approves possible sale of MH-60R helicopters, AH-64E Apache upgrades to S. Korea

WASHINGTON — The United States has authorized a potential sale to South Korea of MH-60R multi-mission naval helicopters and an AH-64E Apache chopper upgrade program, the State Department said Monday, noting the proposed sale will help enhance the Asian ally's defense capabilities. The department announced its decisions on the potential government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS) estimated to cost $3 billion for the MH-60R helicopter project and $1.2 billion for the Apache upgrade program. South Korea has made a request to buy 24 MH-60R helicopters, 24 airborne low-frequency sonars and eight M240D 7.62 mm machine guns, among other items that were included in the helicopter acquisition package, according to the department. The MH-60R is a naval helicopter used for anti-submarine warfare, maritime surveillance operations and surface warfare, as well as search and rescue missions. For the Apache upgrade, Seoul has requested to buy eight AN/APG-78 fire control radars (FCR), eight Longbow FCR radar electronic units, and 40 AN/ARC-231A very high frequency/ultra high frequency radios,Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times