SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (RoK) Navy is looking to add 12 additional maritime utility helicopters by 2022. The added maritime helicopter heft is seen as a necessary capacity-building measure in order to counter and contain North Korea's submarine and surface naval presence. The threat of North Korean submarines has increased in the wake of Pyongyang's successful testing of submarine-launched ballistic missiles last year.
The RoK Navy acquired eight AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat multi-role helicopters following a down-selection of the model by South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) over the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk in January 2013. Purchased at a cost of KRW590 billion ($505 million), these units were delivered in June 2016 and perform anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare, maritime surveillance, and search-and-rescue (SAR) duties while operating from the RoK Navy's Incheon- (FFX-I) class guided-missile frigates.
This time the procurement will expand to 12 units in order to bring the combined maritime utility helicopter fleet up to 20 total units. The three variants being considered for the KRW900 billion ($768 million) acquisition again include the AgustaWestland AW159 Lynx Wildcat and Sikorsky MH-60R, as well as NH Industries' NH-90. The aim is to secure a contract with the winning bidder by year-end 2018 and begin absorbing the new units into service starting in 2020. All deliveries would be completed by 2022.