By It looks like we could be seeing some Korean piloted Apache helicopters in the air over Korea in the near future:
South Korea has expressed interest in purchasing renovated U.S. Apache attack helicopters, which will be available to international customers in the near future, a U.S. government official said Tuesday.
Army Col. Kevin W. Madden, chief of the Joint U.S. Military Affairs Group-Korea (JUSMAG-K), said, the U.S. government will soon make available to foreign customers about 260 Block I Apache helicopters built by Boeing.
The JUSMAG-K is attached to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul with missions to support affairs related to the Korea-U.S. alliance.
“I have heard many countries have expressed interest,” Madden told The Korea Times. “I have been briefed that there will be options for international customers to refurbish or completely rebuild the helicopters in the customer’s preferred configuration all the way up to Block III Longbow models.”
“In that case, they will not be `used’ at all but will represent, for practical purposes, completely new helicopters. I’m sure prices will depend on the customer’s desires,” he added. [Korea Times]
The media report is making a big deal about the Apaches being “second hand” but in my experience dealings with rebuilt tracked vehicles, the rebuilds are just as good as if they were brand new. I’m sure these Apaches will be good as well.
The real story to this is that by Korea buying the Apaches that means this should allow USFK to withdraw further forces from the peninsula by redeploying the Apache helicopter units stationed on the peninsula. Interestingly enough this news comes as speculation has mounted about an Apache battalion being deployed from Korea to be used in operations in Afghanistan.
US helicopters are in big demand in Iraq and Afghanistan and it appears the US government is making it very clear that Korea needs to either develop of buy their own attack helicopter capabilities.
It is the sad reality. No mistake...
4:36 am on May 28th, 2008 1
We should watch how this issue plays out. I still remember the "FX Project" where the government's even considering buying the latest F-15s in a contract bid was used by the press and civic groups for months of effective anti-US promotion.
5:36 am on May 28th, 2008 2
I heard from PD notebook that American helicopters suffer from "eccentric rotary disease" expect the protests to build. I suspect we will see some badly staged films of Russian aircraft getting pasted and labled "American."
6:08 am on May 28th, 2008 3
I think helicopters may be too complecated for Koreans. I have read about quite a few crashes in the F-16. I really doubt Koreans can handle the complexity. Also, can America trust the Koreans not to steal the technology? I susspect that the specs will make their way to NK and China.
How many times will the Americans make the same mistake with Korea.
4:29 pm on May 28th, 2008 4
Stealing other’s technology is what Chinese do the best. Look at the Russians for instance, they are pissed of with Chinese cheap copy of their fighter flaker.
No wonder Russia is keen to transfer high technology to India but not to China.
Russia is arming India to counter China and USA is arming Korea for the same reason. Nobody loves China, nether do I.
4:40 pm on May 28th, 2008 5
"Stealing other’s technology is what Chinese do the best"
Ever heard of Hyundae? LOL, anybody who has been to Korea would laugh at that.
"Nobody loves China, nether do I."
No worries, your old master is comming home, sooner or later, and you will "bend over" and bow to you master.
5:42 pm on May 28th, 2008 6
Hyundae? I know Hyundai but never heard about this name. What do they copy? Condoms? Is this your father’s company in Beijing?
12:22 pm on June 3rd, 2008 7
[...] is some more information about the potential sale of AH-64 Apaches to [...]