In 2020, South Korean defense officials approved a project worth 960 billion won (667.6 million USD) to buy 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from US Defense Group Lockheed Martin to enhance the possibility. The anti -submarine combat power of the Navy, according to Yonhap news agency.
A MH-60R Seahawk helicopter of the US Navy
Of the 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters ordered, the first one is expected to come to Korea in February, and the rest is expected to be delivered in stages, according to an official of the Department of Management. South Korea’s defense shopping program (DAPA).
Seahawk helicopter is expected to go into operation next year after going through field trials and related procedures.
Equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Mark 54 light torpedoes and Sonar system, MH-60R Seahawk will operate with Navy’s Naval P-8A maritime patrol aircraft, enhance supervision and defense Against the “threats from submarines of the DPRK”, according to Yonhap.
The MH-60R Seahawk is also expected to enhance the performance of the Korean Navy because of the longer flight time than the Lynx and AW159 Wildcat helicopter is serving, according to DAPA.
Yonhap quoted Korean officials as saying that North Korea is operating a fleet of about 70 submarines, including many small and old ships.
Pyongyang has recently focused on improving submarine capacity, announcing what they claimed to be a tactical nuclear attack submarine by 2023, according to Yonhap.