State Department clears sale of 12 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters with support to South Korea.

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters with support for an estimated cost of $800 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on August 7, 2019.

Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The Republic of Korea has requested to buy 12 MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, equipped with the following: 13 APS-153(V) Multi-Mode Radars (12 installed, 1 spare); 25 T-700-GE-401C Engines (24 installed, 1 spare); 12 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar Systems (ALFS) (12 installed); 13 AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems (12 installed, 1 spare); 24 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (24 installed); 12 Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems – Low Volume Terminals (MIDS-LVT) Block Upgrade Two Terminals; ) M-240D crew-served guns; 4 GAU-21 crew-served guns; and 1,000 AN/SSQ-36/53/62 sonobuoys.

Also included are 24 AN/ARC-210 RT-1990A(C) radios with Communications Security (COMSEC); 20 AN/ARC-220 High Frequency radios; 20 AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; spare engine containers; facilities study; design and construction; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communications equipment; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $800 million.

Implementation of the proposed sale will require approximately two U.S. contractors to be assigned in the country to support the program. However, U.S. Government engineering and technical services may be required on an interim basis for training and technical assistance.