WASHINGTON, D.C., — May 19, 2026 : The United States Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Republic of Korea for 24 MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters and associated military equipment in a package valued at an estimated $3.0 billion.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced that it has delivered the required certification notifying the U.S. Congress of the proposed transaction under the Arms Export Control Act.
Strengthening South Korea’s Naval Capabilities
According to U.S. officials, the proposed sale is intended to strengthen the Republic of Korea Navy’s ability to address current and future security threats while supporting Washington’s broader foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific region.
The State Department stated that South Korea remains a major U.S. ally and an important force for political stability and economic progress in the region. The acquisition is expected to improve Seoul’s maritime defense capabilities, particularly in anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare operations.
Defense officials noted that the additional helicopters will provide South Korea with an enhanced deterrence capability amid continued regional maritime and submarine developments around the Korean Peninsula.
The approval follows South Korea’s previous order of 12 MH-60R helicopters placed in 2020. Deliveries from that earlier acquisition recently entered operational service with the Republic of Korea Navy.
U.S. authorities stated that South Korea will have no difficulty integrating the aircraft and associated systems into its armed forces and emphasized that the proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
Helicopters and Major Defense Equipment
The proposed package includes:
- Twenty-four (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters
- Fifty-two (52) Embedded GPS/Precise Positioning Service/Inertial Navigation Systems with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules, including 48 installed systems and four spare units
- Twenty-four (24) Airborne Low Frequency Sonars
- Eight (8) M240D 7.62mm machine guns
Sensors, Avionics, and Mission Systems
The package also contains a broad range of advanced avionics, sensors, mission equipment, and operational systems designed to support maritime combat and surveillance missions.
Included systems are:
- APS-153(V) multi-mode maritime radars
- AN/AAS-44C(V) multi-spectral targeting systems
- AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures systems
- AN/AVS-9 Night Vision Devices
- Joint Mission Planning Systems
- Tactical Operational Flight Trainers
- Training Simulators and Operational Machine Interface Assistants
- Aviation Maintenance Weapons Loading Trainers
Engines and Defensive Systems
The proposed sale also covers propulsion systems and aircraft survivability equipment, including:
- T700-GE-401D engines
- Spare engine containers
- AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems
- AN/ALE-47 electronic countermeasure dispensers
- M514 impulse cartridges
- MJ20 cartridge actuated devices
- WB53 fire extinguisher cartridge actuated devices
- CCU-136A/A impulse cartridges
Communications and Identification Equipment
To support secure operations and interoperability, the package includes:
- AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders
- KIV-78 IFF Mode 4/5 cryptographic appliques
- Standard communications equipment and associated support systems
Logistics, Training, and Technical Support
The agreement also includes extensive sustainment and operational support elements intended to maintain long-term readiness of the fleet.
These include spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, ferry support, technical documentation, publications, personnel training, training equipment, and U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, logistics, integration, and testing support services.
In addition, the package covers obsolescence engineering and integration activities required to support production readiness for South Korea’s MH-60R helicopters.
Principal Contractor
Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, based in Owego, New York, has been identified as the principal contractor for the proposed program.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that the proposed transaction will not negatively affect U.S. defense readiness.
Background on the MH-60R Seahawk
The MH-60R Seahawk is the U.S. Navy’s primary maritime helicopter platform and is derived from the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter family. The aircraft is designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, maritime surveillance, intelligence gathering, logistics support, and search and rescue operations.
The helicopter is equipped with advanced radar systems, airborne low-frequency sonar, electronic warfare systems, targeting systems, and secure communications equipment for naval missions.
South Korea’s continued procurement of the MH-60R forms part of a broader naval modernization effort focused on improving maritime domain awareness and strengthening undersea warfare capabilities.
Congressional Review Process
The State Department’s approval represents an executive branch authorization under the Foreign Military Sales process and does not finalize the sale.
The proposed transaction will now proceed through the congressional review process before final agreements, production schedules, and implementation details are completed.
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