The United States has approved the possible sale of 24 MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopters to South Korea in a deal estimated at US$3 billion.
The authorization was granted by the US Department of State on May 18 and also includes a broad package of equipment and combat systems. If finalized, the contract will nearly triple South Korea’s current fleet of the model, strengthening the country’s navy anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The MH-60R Seahawk, manufactured by Sikorsky with support from Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, is the US Navy’s primary shipborne helicopter for submarine hunting and attacks against surface targets.
The aircraft operates with radar capable of detecting periscopes, a low-frequency sonar deployed into the sea while hovering, and weapons such as torpedoes and Hellfire missiles, allowing it to locate and destroy threats both above and below the water.
The package approved for Seoul includes, in addition to the 24 aircraft, GPS navigation systems, airborne sonars, night vision devices, missile warning systems, electronic countermeasures, APS-153 radars, and training simulators.
The helicopters are expected to operate from KDX-class destroyers and Incheon-class frigates, expanding the South Korean fleet’s detection and strike range. Integration through Link-16 will also allow real-time data sharing with US forces during joint operations.
South Korea had previously acquired 12 MH-60R helicopters in a contract signed in 2020 worth US$878 million. The first units officially began operations in April 2026. The fleet expansion comes amid growing concerns over North Korea’s advancing submarine capabilities, especially projects linked to the launch of ballistic missiles from submarines. In addition, US officials indicate that interoperability between the South Korean and US navies also holds strategic importance in light of China’s growing military influence in the region.
🇺🇸🇰🇷 The US State Department has approved a Foreign Military Sales case to South Korea for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters with an estimated value of 3.0 billion USD.
The package includes:
– twenty-four (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters
– fifty-two (52) Embedded Global… pic.twitter.com/Fv0L2uG6LE— Jeff2146🇧🇪 (@Jeff21461) May 19, 2026
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Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @USNavy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
