S. Korea Deploys MH-60R Seahawks

THE Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) began deployment of their MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters for the first time to strengthen the military’s detection and attack capabilities against North Korean vessels and submarines.

A ceremony was held to mark the delivery of MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters which were manufactured by Lockheed Martin and designed to handle multiple missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), as well as search and rescue (SAR) operations. It can fly up to four hours during a single departure when fitted with an auxiliary fuel tank. In addition to the two choppers that have been deployed for operation, the armed service plans to deploy the remaining aircraft in phases.

Newly appointed Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Kim Kyung-ryul said, “The Seahawk, armed with excellent detection and tracking, as well as swift manoeuvring capabilities. It will bring a miserable defeat to the enemy and overwhelming victory to our forces.

South Korea purchased a dozen MH-60Rs in 2020 for US$698 million to beef up the Navy’s detection and offensive capabilities against enemy surface and sub-surface vessels. As a multi-mission helicopter, the Seahawk can fly farther and stay airborne longer in comparison to other helicopters currently in the Navy’s inventory. The Seahawk can stay in the air for up to four hours with a maximum flying range of 834 kilometres.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:ROKN)