South Korea will acquire 20 additional MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to replace its aging fleet of Lynx helicopters. The project, worth approximately 3.24 trillion won ($2.4 billion), was approved during the 178th Defense Project Promotion Committee meeting, held in writing on Tuesday, September 15, under the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The Lockheed Martin-built helicopters will be delivered between 2025 and 2032 through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanism. The committee based its type selection on the results of purchase test evaluations and negotiations.
MH-60R Seahawk to Replace Lynx Fleet
The aging Lynx helicopters, deployed aboard destroyers and frigates, prompted the Navy to pursue an overseas acquisition to modernize its fleet. Compared to the Lynx, the new MH-60Rs will offer longer flight endurance, along with a new low-frequency dipping sonar and sonobuoy operating capability. DAPA expects this upgrade to strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine and anti-ship operational capacity.
With a maximum speed of 333 kilometers per hour (207 mph), the MH-60R Seahawk was designed as a multi-mission platform covering anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship operations, and search and rescue.
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Source: C4Defence–DAPA, Korea JoongAng Daily
