U.S. signs off on $3.5 billion helicopter sale to South Korea as war games start

The State Department has approved the sale of 36 AH-64E attack helicopters to South Korea in a deal worth at least $3.5 billion. The deal was announced Monday, the same day the U.S. and South Korea kicked off large-scale military exercises aimed at strengthening their joint defense against a nuclear-armed North Korea.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said South Korea would also get up to 76 Apache helicopter engines and spare parts, fire control radar systems, night vision sensors and other support equipment. The sale will also provide the Asian ally with up to 450 Hellfire missiles and more than 150 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles.

“The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in regional operations,” the DSCA said in a statement. “Korea will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.”

The principal contractors for the Apache deal are Boeing and Lockheed Martin. U.S. officials said the deal won’t alter the basic military balance in the region.

The Apache helicopter sale comes amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Officials in the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, have described the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises as “provocative war drills for aggression.” 

U.S. military officials in South Korea said the maneuvers are meant solely to enhance joint operations to strengthen the defense posture and response capabilities of both countries. They said the scenarios in Ulchi Freedom Shield “reflect the diverse threats of the security environment.”

“Conducting exercises of this scale and nature is a necessary part of our readiness posture here in the Republic of Korea,” Air Force Col. William McKibban, commander of the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan Air Base, said in a statement. “Integration like this is what we’re here to do — to show everyone that we are ready to fight tonight when needed, from the tactical level all the way up to the operational.”