DSCA Approves Sale of 14 Chinooks to S. Korea

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has approved the sale of 14 Chinook cargo helicopters to South Korea. (Boeing)

Dec. 4, 2013 By WENDELL MINNICK – Defense News

TAIPEI — A $151 million deal for 14 Boeing CH-47D Chinook cargo helicopters to South Korea has gotten the green light from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).

Released under the Foreign Military Sales program, the Dec. 3 DSCA notification said the aircraft will be sold and transferred to South Korea incrementally once the US Army begins taking receipt of new-production CH-47F model aircraft, a process estimated to begin in the January time frame.

The 14 CH-47Ds are currently operated by US Forces Korea in South Korea. The T55-GA-714A engines will be provided from US Army inventory located at Camp Humphrey, South Korea.

The US Army will not replace the CH-47D aircraft being sold and transferred to South Korea. This will allow the US Army to avoid transportation and demilitarization costs of approximately $13.4 million.

“The proposed sale will improve the ROK’s [Republic of Korea] capability to meet current and future requirements for troop movement, medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, fire-fighting and heavy construction support.”

In June, Boeing announced that it was in discussions with South Korea on “requirements for upgrades as well as newly manufactured Chinooks.” According to the Boeing announcement, the South Korean Army currently operates 23 CH-47D/DLR, and the Air Force operates five HH-47D for combat search-and-rescue missions.