CH-47F Heavy-Lift Choppers Sought From U.S.

The U.S. State Dept. has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of heavy-lift helicopters and related equipment to South Korea, reports the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

The potential US$1.5 billion deal covers 18 CH-47F Chinook helicopters; 42 T55-GA-714A engines (six spares); 22 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) (four spares); and 44 RT-1987 secure radios (eight spares).

It also includes AN/APR-39 radar warning systems; AN/ARC-220 HF airborne communication systems; and AN/APX-123A identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) transponders.

The proposed deal would improve the South Korean army's heavy-lift capabilities, including medical evacuation, search-and-rescue, parachute drops and disaster relief missions, the agency said.