South Korea May Cancel Plans to Buy 36 Apache Helicopters

South Korea is reviewing a plan to purchase an additional 36 Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from the United States, Yonhap reported.

The acquisition may be scrapped due to a broader overhaul of the country’s defense budget and reassessments stemming from the use of attack helicopters in the war in Ukraine.

Funds initially earmarked for the helicopters could be redirected toward higher-priority programs, including unmanned systems and less expensive manned alternatives such as multirole helicopters.

The planned purchase, valued at about $3.5 billion and approved by the U.S. State Department in August 2024, included 36 helicopters, 76 engines, and hundreds of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

The helicopters were intended to double South Korea’s existing fleet of AH-64Es to 72 units.

The Ministry of Defense has raised concerns over both the cost and operational efficiency of acquiring more helicopters of this type. Officials noted a significant rise in procurement costs, prompting questions about budget allocation.

South Korea first announced its purchase of Apache helicopters in 2013, ordering 36 AH-64E Apache Guardians in a deal worth over $1.6 billion. That package included weapons systems such as Hellfire missiles and Stinger MANPADS, as well as crew training and logistical support.

Deliveries began in 2016 and continued over several years. The helicopters are operated by the Republic of Korea Army’s Aviation Command.
South Korea’s AH-64Es are equipped with Longbow radars, digital fire control systems, and communications links that enable integration with unmanned systems, such as the RQ-7 Shadow. They are also fitted with missile warning and countermeasure systems for use in contested airspace.

As Militarnyi previously reported, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) recently signed a contract with Boeing to manufacture fuselages for the AH-64E Apache Guardian.