Defense department opts for Anglo-Italian maritime helicopter over US model

Posted on : 2013-01-16 16:22 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Eight Wild Cat helicopters to be purchased at a cost of 589 billion won, or US$567 million

By Kim Kyu-won, staff reporter

The British-Italian helicopter company AgustaWestland’s Wildcat (AW159) maritime helicopter, designed to detect and destroy ships and submarines, will be purchased by the South Korean Defense Department instead of US manufactured alternatives. Attention has now turned to what effect the selection of the European option will have on this year’s choice of next generation jet fighter and attack helicopter.

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin chaired the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), which made the decision. DAPA spokesperson Baek Yun-hyung said, “The Wildcat was deemed superior in three of four fields: cost, operational suitability, and contractual arrangements. The US Sikorski made Seahawk was judged superior only in performance. The overall consensus is that the Wildcat is the better option.”

Baek went on, “This maritime helicopter is being introduced to better equip us to deal with ships and submarines and to strengthen and expand our surveillance operations. Plus, it is equipped with the most advanced core technology, such as its sound detection equipment.” With regard to the chosen European model’s interoperability with existing weapons systems, Baek added, “In joint operations the US model is superior but both models meet our performance requirements.”

Eight next generation maritime helicopters will be loaded on the Ulsan-class frigate and will cost 589 billion won (US$567 million). The Department of Defense undertook integrated test evaluations between June and December 2012 in order to decide which model to acquire. The chosen Wildcat measures 15.2 in length, 3.7 meters in width, is 4 meters high, and has a maximum take off weight of 5,987 kilograms. Its maximum cruising speed is 259kmh and it is equipped with anti-ship guided missiles, torpedoes, and machine guns. Britain currently uses four of the helicopters. The Wildcat’s size and take off capacity are smaller than the Seahawk, but its principal weapons equipment is similar and it is faster.

 

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