Seoul has approved plans to procure additional MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters as part of its effort to strengthen naval aviation. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Committee has cleared an acquisition worth approximately 3.24 trillion won, or $2.4 billion. The approval comes after the US State Department authorized a possible sale of 24 MH-60Rs to South Korea with an estimated value of $3 billion. The helicopters will form part of the Navy’s second Marine Operation Helicopter programme, known as MOH II. South Korea previously ordered 12 MH-60Rs in December 2020 under MOH I through the US Foreign Military Sales system. Six had been delivered by November 2025, and on April 1, 2026, the first two were officially deployed for operations. The rest are expected to follow in sequence. The MOH II programme is scheduled to run through 2032 and is intended to replace older Lynx-family helicopters while providing improved anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The new helicopters will also offer greater endurance for maritime missions. During the 1990s, South Korea acquired 25 Mk 99 Lynx and Mk 99A Super Lynx helicopters. These aircraft incorporated radar and dipping-sonar equipment for submarine detection. Romeo Maritime HelicopterThe MH-60R is a twin-engine naval helicopter developed primarily for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Additional missions include search and rescue, reconnaissance, surveillance, communications relay, naval gunfire support, logistics, personnel movement and medical evacuation. Its sensor suite includes multimode radar, electronic support measures, EO/IR sensors, datalinks, dipping sonar and sonobuoys. Aircraft survivability systems are also installed. The platform can employ torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles and rockets against designated targets. The helicopter is 64.83 feet (19.76 m) long, with a maximum takeoff weight of 23,500 lb (10,682 kg). Two GE T700-GE-401C engines provide 1,890 shaft horsepower (1,410 kW) each. The MH-60R can cruise at up to 140 knots (260 km/h/161 mph), reach a service ceiling of 19,000 feet (5,800 m) and remain on an anti-surface warfare mission for approximately 3.3 hours.
