06 July 2017

News Story: S. Korean Navy deploys 4 more Wildcat choppers

An AW159 Wildcat Helicopter (File Photo)
By Lee Chi-dong

SEOUL, July 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Navy said Wednesday four additional AW-159 shipborne anti-submarine helicopters have joined a front-line fleet for combat operations.

The Navy acquired eight AW-159 choppers, also known as Wildcats, last year in two batches in June and December, respectively. The first four were deployed in February.

"The remaining four were deployed at a front-line fleet and put into maritime operations today," the Navy said in a statement. It did not reveal the location, but a defense source said the new assets will operate near the tense western sea border between the two Koreas.

The twin-engine rotorcraft is armed with lightweight torpedoes, 12.7-mm machine guns and advanced anti-ship guided missiles.

Read the full story at YonhapNews