South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Committee has approved the procurement of additional Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters in a programme valued at approximately 3.24 trillion won ($2.4 billion). The decision follows US approval of a proposed Foreign Military Sale covering 24 MH-60R aircraft for Seoul at an estimated value of $3 billion. South Korea already operates the MH-60R under its Marine Operation Helicopter (MOH) I programme. Seoul ordered 12 helicopters in December 2020 through the US Foreign Military Sales process. By November 2025, six aircraft had been delivered to the Republic of Korea Navy. The first two were formally deployed for operational duties on April 1, 2026, with the remaining aircraft scheduled to enter service progressively. The additional helicopters will be acquired through the MOH II programme, which is planned to continue until 2032. The procurement is intended to replace South Korea’s ageing fleet of Lynx helicopters while improving the Navy’s anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare capabilities and extending operational endurance. South Korea acquired 25 Mk 99 Lynx and Mk 99A Super Lynx helicopters during the 1990s. Those aircraft were equipped with systems including dipping sonar and radar for submarine detection. MH-60R Seahawk CapabilitiesThe twin-engine MH-60R, commonly known as the Romeo, is primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare missions. It can also conduct search and rescue, surveillance, communications relay, naval gunfire support, logistics, troop transport and medical evacuation operations. The helicopter incorporates multimode radar, electronic support measures, electro-optical/infrared sensors, tactical datalinks, dipping sonar, sonobuoys and survivability equipment. Its weapons options include torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles and rockets for engaging maritime and other hostile targets. The MH-60R measures 64.83 feet (19.76 metres) in length and has a maximum takeoff weight of 23,500 pounds (10,682 kilograms). Its propulsion system uses two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, each delivering 1,890 shaft horsepower (1,410 kilowatts). The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 140 knots (260 km/h or 161 mph), a service ceiling of 19,000 feet (5,800 metres) and a mission endurance of 3.3 hours in the anti-surface warfare configuration.
