Seoul (Agencies): South Korean officials are reconsidering their plan to purchase an additional 36 U.S.-made AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, valued at $3.5 billion, due to concerns over battlefield vulnerability and high costs. The decision comes in the wake of lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where attack helicopters have been rapidly shot down by portable missile systems and drones.
The Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) already operates 36 AH-64E Apaches, which were ordered in 2013 and delivered between 2016 and 2017. However, the rising cost of the helicopters and their vulnerability in modern warfare have prompted a review of the acquisition plan. South Korean defense planners are now considering investing in unmanned systems, such as attack drones, which offer a cheaper and more effective alternative.
The Ministry of National Defense, ROKA, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) are reassessing the necessity of the planned acquisition, with the possibility of reducing the number of helicopters or canceling the purchase altogether. Critics argue that the Republic of Korea Army should focus on more advanced, unmanned systems to adapt to the changing nature of modern warfare.