Senior executives of US aircraft maker Boeing on Wednesday defended the role of crewed helicopters, particularly its flagship Apache attack helicopter series, as Seoul reassesses its plan to purchase 3.3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) worth of Apaches.
“The Apache is the most powerful attack reconnaissance helicopter in existence, with top-tier performance and reliability,” said Christina Upah, Boeing’s vice president and general manager of attack helicopters, at a press conference in Seoul. “No unmanned platform, including drones, can replace the Apache.”
She added that the Apache will remain a critical force on future battlefields, not just in today’s combat environments.
The Apache is widely recognized for its ability to deploy heavy munitions, including AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, which are effective in neutralizing armored units. Since its deployment by the US Army in 1984, the helicopter has been adopted by 19 countries worldwide, with over 1,300 units currently in operation, according to Boeing.
South Korea has operated 36 Apaches since its first acquisition in early 2017 and initially planned to procure an additional 36 under a 3.3 trillion won contract in 2022.
However, South Korea recently decided to reassess the purchase after the US State Department set the price higher than expected at $3.5 billion in August 2024.
At the time, South Korea cited the hefty price tag, along with shifting battlefield dynamics -- particularly in the Russia-Ukraine war, where attack helicopters have proven vulnerable to drones and portable missile systems.
During the Wednesday briefing, Boeing attributed the cost increase to additional provisions -- including training, weapons systems and support packages -- under the US government’s Foreign Military Sales program.
Also, Boeing acknowledged the rising prominence of drones in modern warfare but emphasized that uncrewed aerial vehicles cannot fully replace crewed aircraft.
“The future of warfare lies in the partnership between manned and unmanned platforms,” said Terry Jamison, director of attack helicopter business development at Boeing. “We are developing technology that allows the Apache to control and operate externally launched drones, significantly enhancing its situational awareness, survivability and lethality.”
In the meantime, South Korea’s arms procurement agency, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, stated that it will proceed with the next steps in the review process. It will consider battlefield conditions, budgetary constraints and assessments from relevant agencies.
flylikekite@heraldcorp.com
