Apache helicopters take off from the U.S. Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, on Monday as South Korea and the United States kicked off the annual 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) exercise to strengthen their joint defense readiness in the face of the increasing military threat from North Korea. (NEWS1)

Korea will buy American Apache attack helicopters and related logistics and support elements worth $3.5 billion after the United States gave the green light to the sale on Monday.

The extensive arms deal comes at a time when both countries are in initial negotiations on cost-sharing in the defense sector. They want to avoid possible uncertainties before the US presidential election in November.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which is under the US Department of Defense, announced on Monday that the State Department had approved the proposed government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS). Korea had requested, among other things, the purchase of up to 36 AH-64E Apache helicopters, 76 T700-GE-701D engines, 456 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles, 152 AGM-179A air-to-ground missiles and 40 AAR-57 missile warning systems.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by enhancing the security of a key ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region,” the DSCA said in a press release. “The proposed sale will enhance the Republic of Korea’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible force capable of deterring adversaries and participating in regional operations.”

The DSCA has issued certification of the potential sale to Congress because the FMS transaction requires congressional approval to be finalized.

The Korean Defense Procurement Agency (DAPA) confirmed on the same day that the second phase of its heavy attack helicopter project is proceeding as planned. The Korean military integrated 36 Apache helicopters in the first phase of the project and decided in 2021 to acquire more Apache helicopters from abroad in a second phase.

The AH-64E Apache is considered the most modern attack helicopter ever and can carry out day and night missions in all weather conditions. It has a maximum cruising speed of 269 kilometers per hour (145 knots) and can be equipped with up to four Stinger air-to-air missiles in addition to Hellfire missiles. The helicopter can also carry up to 76 70-millimeter rockets and 1,200 rounds for its 30-millimeter cannon.

The purchase comes as Korea and the United States continue negotiations on the 12th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing. Although the arms deal is not directly related to the negotiations and is part of Korea’s planned purchase of heavy attack helicopters, it is seen as an opportunity for the country to underscore its contribution to the alliance and serve as a valuable negotiating tool. Between April and August 12, the two countries held six rounds of talks in Seoul and Washington. They are working to conclude negotiations before the US presidential election in November.

The deal could also be of interest to former US President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate in the upcoming election. Trump had already expressed a strong preference for “countries that buy American-made weapons” at the Korea-US summit in April 2019.

“In the SMA negotiations, it is difficult to calculate and prove the specific costs that demonstrate Korea’s contribution to the alliance. However, mentioning large-scale arms purchases like this in the negotiations could be useful,” said Park Won-gon, a professor of North Korean studies at Ewha Womans University. “There is a need to think about collecting and using such examples to strengthen our negotiating power, especially in light of a possible return of Trump.”

BY PARK HYUN-JU ([email protected])