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South Korea is reconsidering additional American AH-64E Apaches due to concerns about battlefield vulnerability and high costs

Posted on by Larry
South Korea is reconsidering additional American AH-64E Apaches due to concerns about battlefield vulnerability and high costs

South Korean officials questioned the wisdom of spending 70% of the military’s annual budget on the Apaches, given that Russian attack helicopters were quickly shot down by MANPADS during the Ukrainian war. Attack drones have now become a cheaper and more effective alternative.

South Korea is ‘studying’ a plan to purchase another 36 US AH-64E Apache attack helicopters worth $3.5 billion, following lessons from Ukraine on the vulnerability of attack helicopters, the alternative offered by ‘ attack drones’ and the high cost implications. Seoul’s defense planners believe UAVs have “changed modern warfare.”

A report on Chosun quoted military sources observing how the “uselessness of (attack) helicopters” was seen in Ukraine when they were shot down by shoulder-fired MANPADs (Man-Portable Air Defenses). The RoKA (Republic of Korea Army) already operates 36 AH-64E Apaches, which were ordered in 2013 and delivered between 2016 and 2017.

Let in August 2024the US Department of State approved the FMS (Foreign Military Sale) agreement for the additional 36. This also included 456 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles and 152 AGM-179A JAGM (Joint air-to-surface missiles). Other related systems included rifle scopes, fire control radars, self-defensive EW (Electronic Warfare) suites, MWS (Missile Warning Systems), laser detectors, IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) transponders, among other detection and communications suites.

Lessons from Ukraine

The report states that the MND (Department of National Defense), the Army and the DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration) have conducted a “comprehensive review” of the introduction of 36 Apache attack helicopters. Drones, meanwhile, are seen as a cheaper but effective alternative, prompting a review of the ‘usability of attack helicopters’.

The unidentified military official added: “It is at least unlikely that the military will introduce all 36 units it has requested. Depending on the progress of the talks, there is a possibility that the decision to introduce 36 units may be canceled completely.”

The report called the Apache the “world’s most powerful attack helicopter” and noted that it has also been called the “tank grim reaper.” However, seeing Russian attack helicopters quickly shot down by “portable missiles” raised a “question” among South Korean military planners.

It is another matter that Russia, US-led NATO, Turkey and China still see enormous utility in attack helicopters. Although a significant number of Russian Kamov Ka-52 Alligators were shot down, they played an important role in destroying the Ukrainian tank and armor of Western origin with standoff long-range ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missiles) that contributed to Kiev’s failed counter-offensive in the summer of 2011. 2023.

The US Army is reorient the Apache after its Cold War role of working with forward reconnaissance helicopters and destroying Soviet tank columns, while also serving as a major upgrade of the EW suites. Ukraine itself does to search the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter to maximize the benefits of the Kursk offensive. China now appears to be considering are Z-10 attack helicopter for even maritime warfare, in addition to using it in an invasion of Taiwan, in addition to traditional land wars. So what could be driving South Korea’s antipathy toward the Apache could be something else entirely (which we’ll get to later).

Financial and diplomatic reasons

Officials also questioned the wisdom of spending “70% of the military’s annual budget (about 6.5 trillion won or $4.68 billion) on the Apaches. In particular, the unit price for the first Apache introduction was 44.1 billion won ($31 million), but the expected price for the second introduction has “skyrocketed” to 73.3 billion won ($52 million), with a “possibility ” of a “future introduction”. increase.”

An AH-64E Apache helicopter from the 5-17 Air Cavalry Squadron, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, prepares to land on the flight pad during Combined Units air gunnery qualifications, July 20, 2022, Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea. Pilots of the AH-64E must qualify for all Apaches weapon systems. (Image credit: US Army/Sgt. Oscar Toscano)

Interestingly, the report notes how the plan to purchase an additional 36 Apaches was introduced during and “effectively scrapped” by the same previous administration of President Moon Jae-in. It was a brainchild of former Minister of National Defense Song Young-moo’s “New Offensive Operation Plan,” which aimed to “end the war within two weeks” by “sending special forces to Pyongyang by helicopter.”

However, the reconciliation and inter-Korean dialogue promoted by Moon Jae-in himself led to its unofficial demise. Chosun quoted People Power Party MP Yoo Yong-won: “In a situation where breakthrough power using unmanned attack aircraft is needed, it is time for our military to re-examine the introduction of additional attack helicopters with a huge budget, according to the plans of the previous government. New operation plan.”

Push domestic LAH program?

It is possible that one of the reasons motivating the reconsideration of the AH-64E Apache could be the indigenous LAH (Light Armed Helicopter) project. In December 2023 KED Global reported that the DAPA has announced plans to begin “mass production” of indigenous air-to-surface guided missiles for the LAHs by 2031 in a $521 million project.

It said the KAI (Korea Aerospace Industries) LAH is expected to begin reaching units of the Korean Armed Forces by 2024 “to conduct airstrikes and airstrike missions.” KAI has also developed the KF-21 Boramae and the FA-50 light fighter. The LAH is expected to “become the core force of the ground forces.”

The report added that KAI signed a $1 billion contract with DAPA on December 27, 2023 for the supply of LAHs from 2025. This was the second helicopter supply agreement between KAI and DAPA.

The real lesson from Ukraine

At a minimum, a war with North Korea will require a significant number of domestically developed platforms to help scale up production, replace losses, and quickly make upgrades or modifications based on experience gained from training and combat.

Ukraine does not have these options because it is now completely dependent on Western equipment, which is not manufactured in the country, but rather supplied from NATO member states’ own stockpiles. Seoul has seen Russia take advantage of the delay in the arrival of major Western weapons such as the M1A1 Abrams tanks and the F-16 fighters to gain more ground and offset any future gains the platforms may make.

Finally, the US’s Asian allies are increasingly turning inward for their defense equipment needs. The aviator recently reported how Japan’s Ministry of Defense is promoting its own dedicated EW (Electronic Warfare) aircraft based on the fully indigenous Kawasaki P-1 MPA (Maritime Patrol Aircraft). Reports and Ministry of Defense budget documents said foreign platforms do not meet his needs, while “sensitive” technologies such as EW are difficult to obtain from “abroad.”