On February 10, a U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) AH-64 Apache fires a Hydra rocket during a South Korea-U.S. joint live-fire exercise at the Rodriguez Training Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb.12 (Korea Bizwire) — U.S. aerospace firm Boeing Co. stressed Wednesday the importance of mixing manned and unmanned assets for optimal warfare capabilities, as South Korea is apparently reconsidering a plan to buy Apache attack helicopters over cost and efficiency issues.
After completing the deployment of 36 AH-64E helicopters in 2017, the South Korean Army has been seeking to purchase 36 more Apache helicopters from Boeing in a bid to better counter evolving military threats from North Korea.
But South Korean military officials are believed to be reconsidering the plan amid criticism that attack helicopters may not be as effective in terms of cost and defense capabilities, compared with drones that have emerged as a cost-effective weapon in modern battlefields.
“All the analysis points to the best solution being a mix, a partnership of manned and unmanned (assets), complementing each other,” TJ Jamison, business development director for attack programs at Boeing, said in a meeting with reporters in Seoul.
Christina Upah (L), vice president of Boeing Co.’s attack helicopter program, and TJ Jamison, business development director for attack programs, speak to reporters in Seoul on Feb. 12, 2025, in this photo provided by the company.(Yonhap)
“It’s a partnership, a complimentary relationship, between the manned and unmanned capabilities that are the most effective solution to this challenge,” the official said, in response to growing doubts over the effectiveness of maintaining manned aircraft despite the substantial cost entailed.
Such questions have recently gained traction within the United States after tech billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency under the Trump administration, publicly criticized manned aircraft, such as fighter jets and helicopters.
“There is no drone or uncrewed platform that can do what the Apache does today,” said Christina Upah, vice president of Boeing’s attack helicopter program.
As part of efforts to support South Korea’s seamless acquisition and deployment of the attack helicopters, Boeing officials said they plan to continue with advocacy and outreach activities in both South Korea and the U.S.
“This is more than just selling aircraft,” Upah said. “This is about the partnership that we’re forging with the Republic of Korea to support the defense forces and our Korean industries.”
South Korea’s state arms procurement agency earlier said the agency will proceed with the plan once a relevant decision is made in consideration of factors, such as future warfare and budget circumstances.
(Yonhap)
