Seoul: South Korea is on a purchasing spree of advanced military equipment to counter the threat from North Korea. In the latest news, the South Korean government has approved the purchase of Chinook, an advanced combat helicopter from the US. This makes South Korea the country with the highest number of Chinook helicopters after the US and UK.
The South Korean armed forces have about 38 Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopters in their fleet, which can be used for combat, rescue, and transport operations with a life of 38 years. A few years back, the US and South Korea had discussed upgrading the older version of the Chinook helicopter in their fleet, which is under proposal from South Korea.
In recent years, Boeing has developed a newer version of Chinook, the CH47F, with a higher payload capacity and advanced technology. Along with the US, Britain, India, Australia, Canada, Italy, Singapore, and the Netherlands are using this new advanced version of helicopters. So instead of updating the old Chinook helicopters, South Korea has prepared to purchase new versions of the helicopters. For this, South Korea has allocated 1.15 billion dollars.
The details on the number of CH-47F Chinook helicopters that South Korea plans to buy from the US have not been announced. But it is claimed that South Korea may buy 20 Chinook helicopters. The US State Department approved the sale of 18 Chinooks to South Korea in December last year. It is claimed that the Chinook helicopters will be inducted into South Korea’s fleet by 2028.
Meanwhile, a few months ago, South Korea purchased the F-35, an advanced stealth fighter jet from the US. South Korea has also provided a new military base to the US. North Korea had threatened South Korea over military exercises with the US.
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