The South Korean government has announced it is buying 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft for $878 million.
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According to reports from the South Korean news agencies Yonhap and Newsis, the helicopters will be delivered in phases by 2025. The Sikorsky helicopters were chosen over the AW159 Wildcat, a multimission helicopter built by the Italian company Leonardo.
Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration stated the helicopters will be used as part of the country”™s anti-ship and anti-submarine operational capabilities. A key aspect of the MH-60Rs that secured their purchase was the aircraft”™s integrated dipping sonar system, which enables it to detect and track submarines.