Seahawk for the South Korean Navy takes shape

Lockheed Martin has received an order to modify its Seahawk helicopter for the Korean Navy. After the Southeast Asian country decided to purchase 12 of these helicopters at the end of last year, the standardised version for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) must now be adapted to the needs and wishes of the Koreans. According to the US Department of Defence, this work is worth almost 118 million dollars and should be completed by November 2026.

Following an invitation to tender South Korea initially opted for the competitor model AW159 from Leonardo. As this helicopter had already been successfully introduced in the country's navy, the choice was hardly surprising. However, the Americans had intervened and submitted a corresponding offer via the FMS programme. Despite the higher price, Korea ultimately decided in favour of the MH-60R. The total value of the contract for modification and construction is around 800 million dollars. The new Seahawks are intended for the future destroyers and frigates of the South Korean Navy. There, the multi-role-capable helicopter will take on ASW tasks in particular.

Text: mb; Photo: US Navy