The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress September 21 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Korea for 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.

The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested a possible sale of 36 AH-1Z COBRA Attack Helicopters, 84 T-700 GE 401C Engines (72 installed and 12 spares), 288 AGM-114K3 HELLFIRE Missiles, 72 AIM-9M-8 SIDEWINDER Missiles, integrated missile launchers, AN/AAQ-30 Target Sighting Systems (TSS) and AN/ALQ-136 Radar Frequency Jammers. The electronic warfare systems include the AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, AN/ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer, APX-123 Identify Friend or Foe (IFF) Mode-4 and AN/ALE-47 Chaff and Flare Decoy Dispenser, communication and support equipment, spare engine containers spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $2.6 billion.

The Government of Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

The proposed sale of the AH-1Z COBRA helicopters will improve South Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats. The sale of these AH-1Z helicopters will improve its close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance, strike coordination/reconnaissance, forward air control (airborne), and aerial escort capabilities while enhancing interoperability with U.S. forces. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these helicopters into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this system and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be Bell-Textron Corporation in Amarillo, Texas, and General Electric in Lynn, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Korea involving U.S. Government or contractor representatives on a temporary basis for program and technical ort, and management oversight.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.

DSCA press release