US approves foreign military sale of AGM-114R Hellfire missiles to South Korea.

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $36 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 19.

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US Army soldiers loading  an AGM-114 Hellfire missile on an AH-64E Apache helicopter (Picture source: US Army)

The Republic of Korea (ROK) has requested to buy 288 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles. Also included are AGM-114R spare parts; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; repair and return; storage; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $36 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by meeting the legitimate security and defense needs of one of the closest allies in the INDOPACOM Theater. The ROK is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist the ROK in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The ROK intends to use these Hellfire missiles to supplement its existing missile capability and current weapon inventory for its AH-64E aircraft. The proposed sale will improve the ROK’s capability to meet current and future threats and ensure interoperability with other AGM-114R Hellfire missile users in the region. 

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, Orlando, FL. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreements will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.