DSCA reports $2.6B helicopter request

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress that South Korea is seeking possible procurement of AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters.

The package deal, under the Foreign Military Sales program, includes associated equipment and other services and would be worth $2.6 billion.

"The proposed sale of the AH-1Z Cobra helicopters will improve South Korea's capability to meet current and future threats," the agency said. "The sale of these AH-1Z helicopters will improve its close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, strike coordination/reconnaissance, forward air control and aerial escort capabilities while enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces."

South Korea's specific shopping list: 36 AH-1Z helicopters; 84 T-700 GE 401C Engines; 288 AGM-114K3 Hellfire missiles; 72 AIM-9M-8 Sidewinder missiles; integrated missile launchers; AN/AAQ-30 target sighting systems; and AN/ALQ-136 radar frequency jammers.

The electronic warfare systems for the aircraft would include the AN/AAR-47 missile warning system; AN/ALQ-144 infrared jammer, APX-123 identify-friend-or-foe Mode-4 and AN/ALE-47 chaff and flare decoy dispenser.

"The government of (South) Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region," DSCA said. "It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability."