This July 15, 2022, file photo, provided by the Navy, shows an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — The Navy is set to receive its first batch of MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters in December, officials said Wednesday, a move that could boost its anti-submarine capabilities against North Korean threats.
In 2020, the state arms procurement agency approved a 960 billion-won (US$698 million) project to purchase 12 Seahawks from U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin Corp. in efforts to strengthen the Navy’s detection and attack capabilities against enemy vessels and submarines.
The 19.7-meter-long and 5.1-meter-high chopper with a maximum cruising speed of 270 kilometers per hour can handle multiple missions, including operations of warfare, search, rescue, and medical evacuation.
The multi-mission helicopter is designed to fly farther and remain longer in the air compared with the Navy’s Lynx and Wildcat choppers in operation, with a maximum flying range of 834 kilometers and can operate for around four hours with a single departure.
Once deployed, the Seahawks are set to operate alongside P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft the Navy received in July. Dubbed the “submarine killer,” the P-8A is capable of conducting an array of missions, including anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
(Yonhap)
