Seoul [South Korea], January 30: In 2020, South Korean defense officials approved a 960 billion won ($667.6 million) project to purchase 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from US defense giant Lockheed Martin to enhance the navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Of the 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters ordered, the first is expected to arrive in South Korea in February, and the remaining are expected to be delivered in stages, according to an official from South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The Seahawk helicopter is expected to enter service next year after undergoing field trials and related procedures.
Equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Mark 54 lightweight torpedoes and a sonar system, the MH-60R Seahawk will operate alongside the Navy's P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, enhancing surveillance and defense against "North Korean submarine threats," according to Yonhap.
The MH-60R Seahawk is also expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the Republic of Korea Navy as it has a longer flight time than the Lynx and AW159 Wildcat helicopters currently in service, according to DAPA.
Yonhap quoted South Korean officials as saying that North Korea is operating a fleet of about 70 submarines, many of which are small and old.
Pyongyang has recently focused on improving its submarine capabilities, unveiling what it claims is a tactical nuclear attack submarine by 2023, according to Yonhap.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper