An order for 36 Apache AH-64 attack helicopters placed by South Korea has been canceled following a major budget cut.
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These aircraft were meant to join the 36 AH-64s already acquired for service with the Republic of Korea (ROK). But according to The Korea Times, the $2.2 billion deal was scrapped after funding was nearly eliminated in a supplemental budget approved last Friday.
Experts, however, believe this move may signal that the use of attack helicopters in combat could be nearing its end—especially with the growing use of unmanned aircraft such as drones in conflicts like the war between Russia and Ukraine.
This view is supported by Yu Yong-weon, a member of South Korea’s National Assembly from the People Power Party. He told The Korea Times that helicopters’ vulnerability to the spread of air defense systems influenced the decision.
“Drones and smart systems are redefining modern battlefields… Instead of clinging to old and expensive platforms, we should invest in capabilities that reflect the future of warfare,” he told the Korean newspaper.
While the Apache is not yet considered obsolete, the nature of warfare has shifted. Helicopters like the AH-64 are slow and operate at low altitudes, making them easy targets for more advanced weaponry.
In Ukraine, videos have shown several Russian helicopters, including the Mi-24/35 and Mi-28, being destroyed by low-cost drones and man-portable missiles. These losses have demonstrated to the world just how dangerous modern airspace has become for traditional rotary-wing aircraft.
Photo and video: Boeing. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
