The introduction project for large transport helicopters for special operations, which will be operated by the Army and Air Force, has begun. Large transport helicopters are used to transport a large amount of personnel and supplies or to be deployed during natural disasters. It is anticipated that Boeing's Chinook (CH-47F) and Lockheed Martin's King Stallion (CH-53K) will compete in this project. However, there are observations that the price of U.S. weapon systems has surged in recent years, leading to a significant discrepancy between the price Korea is considering and the prices set by U.S. companies.
According to the defense industry on the 22nd, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on June 25th the project to introduce large transport helicopters through overseas procurement. If companies participate in the bidding by the end of next month, it is expected that a model will be decided around the end of this year after proposal evaluation in October and testing.
The announced project period is from 2026 to 2033, and the project cost is $2.3554 billion (approximately 3.29 trillion won). Previously, the Defense Project Promotion Committee (DPPC) approved the basic strategy for the large transport helicopter project in April of last year.
Boeing's CH-47F and Lockheed Martin's CH-53K are expected to compete in this project. Boeing is likely to propose the CH-47F Block II, which is a model the U.S. Army is about to introduce, featuring increased transport capacity (approximately 2.4 tons maximum takeoff weight) and extended range (over 700 km) compared to the previous model. Germany decided to introduce over 60 units in 2022, and Poland is also considering adoption. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom are also operating the CH-47F.
Lockheed Martin is expected to propose the CH-53K, operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, to our military. This model, with a maximum takeoff weight of 3.4 tons, can fly approximately 200 km at an altitude of 3,000 m. The countries operating this helicopter are known to be the United States and Israel. Israel decided to introduce a total of 12 units in 2022, spending $2.4 billion (approximately 3.3 trillion won), and the U.S. Marine Corps signed a contract in 2023 for the introduction of 27 units, planning to acquire a total of 200 units.
Price is considered the key issue of this project. Large transport helicopters do not have engine or blade (propeller) technology, and it would take a long time to develop them independently, leading to the choice of overseas procurement. However, the prices of U.S. weapon systems have recently surged. The United States is the world's largest arms exporter, but tariffs on imported major components have caused significant price increases.
For instance, the U.S. fighter jet F-35 receives parts from over 1,900 suppliers in about 12 countries. A Danish company imports more than 80 parts, and it is speculated that prices have further increased due to tariffs.
The price of the Apache attack helicopter has also increased significantly compared to when Korea first introduced it. An official from an overseas defense company noted, "As the prices of all components used in helicopter manufacturing, such as the fuselage and tail, have risen, all overseas defense companies are facing similar hardships."
If the gap in perception between Korean and U.S. companies is not narrowed, there are observations that the introduction of large transport helicopters itself may be delayed. One industry official stated, "It is true that prices have risen compared to when Germany or Israel introduced large transport helicopters," adding, "It may be difficult to introduce as many as other countries with the currently set project cost."
DAPA has not disclosed the number of units to be introduced in this project.