South Korea to Upgrade Apache Helicopters

Seoul:  The South Korean government has approved a KRW400 billion ($295 million) plan to upgrade Republic of Korea Army’s (ROKA) Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters, said the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA), amidst the country’s stepped-up push to counter North Korea’s evolving military threats.

The Defence Project Promotion Committee endorsed the basic plan to buy tactical data links and fire control radar systems from the United States from 2023-2027 to enhance the helicopters’ combat capabilities, according to the state arms procurement agency.

Tactical data links are expected to help improve the sharing of information on operational situations among friendly forces, while the radar systems will bolster wartime capabilities to suppress hostile mechanised unit forces, DAPA said.

The Republic of Korea Army completed the deployment of 36 AH-64E helicopters in early 2017. –shp/adj/aaa (Image: Boeing)