Additional AH-64E Apache Guardians for South Korea
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) for up to 36 AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters to the Republic of Korea, together with related equipment and missiles. This contract is valued at USD 3,5 billion.
Scramble Magazine first reported on 12 March 2021 about the intention to procure additional AH-64Es, so it took a while to actually become a reality. The Daehanminguk Yuk-gun (RoK Army, Republic of Korea Army) preferred to buy the latest version of the AH-64E Apache Guardian. With the acquisition of more attack helicopters, the Bell AH-1S Cobras will be phased out.
The Republic of Korea Army already has 36 AH-64Es in its inventory, these were ordered in 2013 and first batch delivered by ship in May 2016. These Apache Guardians are operated by two Aviation Battalions, 901 Aviation Battalion and 902 Aviation Battalion, from Icheon.
Credit photo: Andrei Shmatko (Scramble Archive)