26 September 2012

USA: South Korea - possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of 36 Attack Helicopters, either AH-1Z or AH-64D

AH-1Z "Viper" variant of the "Cobra" Attack Helicopter

Korea – 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2012 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress September 21 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Korea for 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.

The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters, 84 T-700 GE 401C Engines (72 installed and 12 spares), 288 AGM-114K3 HELLFIRE Missiles, 72 AIM-9M-8 SIDEWINDER Missiles, integrated missile launchers, AN/AAQ-30 Target Sighting Systems (TSS) and AN/ALQ-136 Radar Frequency Jammers. The electronic warfare systems include the AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, AN/ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer, APX-123 Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode-4 and AN/ALE-47 Chaff and Flare Decoy Dispenser, communication and support equipment, spare engine containers spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, 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 estimated cost is $2.6 billion.

The Government of Korea 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 the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale of the AH-1Z COBRA helicopters will improve South Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats. The sale of these AH-1Z helicopters will improve its close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, strike coordination/reconnaissance, forward air control (airborne), and aerial escort capabilities while enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this system and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be Bell-Textron Corporation in Amarillo, Texas, and General Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Korea involving U.S. Government or contractor representatives on a temporary basis for program and technical ort, and management oversight.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.


---

AH-64D "Apache" Attack Helicopter
Republic of Korea (ROK) – AH-64D APACHE Attack Helicopters

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2012 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress September 21 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Korea for 36 AH-64D APACHE Longbow Block III Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $3.6 billion.

The Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of:

  • 36 AH-64 D APACHE Longbow Block III Attack Helicopters 
  • 84 T-700-GE-701D Engines (72 installed and 12 spares) 
  • 42 Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors 
  • 36 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radar (FCR) with Radar Electronics Unit (Longbow Component) 
  • 36 AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometers 
  • 42 AN/APR-39 Radar Signal Detecting Sets 
  • 45 AN/AVR-2B Laser Warning Sets 
  • 43 AAR-57(V) 3/5 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) with 5th Sensor and Improved Countermeasure Dispensers 
  • 42 AN/APX-123 Transponders 
  • 120 Improved Helmet Display Sight Systems (IHDSS-21) 
  • 81 Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation 
  • 38 30mm Automatic Chain Guns (Aircraft Component) 
  • 90 AN/ARC-201E Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) Radios 
  • 90 AN/ARC-231 Radios 
  • 42 AN/ARC-220 Radios 
  • 80 M299 HELLFIRE or Missile Launchers 
  • 400 AGM-114R1 HELLFIRE Missiles Semi-Active Lasers (SAL) 
  • 438 STINGER Block I 92H Missiles 
  • 774,144 30 mm Cartridge HEDP High Explosive Dual Purpose M789s 
  • 11,020 2.75 Inch HYDRA Rockets (Unguided) 
  • 108 APACHE Aviator Integrated Helmets (AAIH)


Also included are training devices, simulators, generators, transportation, wheeled vehicles and organizational equipment, tools and test equipment, communication equipment, spare and repair parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical documentation, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of program support. The estimated cost is $3.6 billion.

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 the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The ROK intends to use new attack helicopters to more effectively secure its borders and littoral waters, as well as conduct counter-terrorism/counter-piracy operations. The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea Army’s close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, strike coordination/reconnaissance, forward air control (airborne), and aerial escort capabilities while enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be The Boeing Company in Mesa, Arizona; Lockheed Martin Corporation in Orlando, Florida; General Electric Company in Cincinnati, Ohio; Lockheed Martin Millimeter Technology in Owego, New York; and Longbow Limited Liability Corporation in Orlando, Florida. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of additional U.S. contractor and U.S. Government representatives in country full-time. Contractor Field Service Representatives will be in country for post production support for an estimated three years with anticipation of a future follow on support contract or an additional Foreign Military Sales contract for support. Also, U.S. Government representatives will include a U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM) field office for technical and logistical support for three years.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.