South Korea UH/HH-60 upgrade project spurs KAI-Hanwha collaboration

South Korea's helicopter upgrade programme likely covers all 29 Sikorsky HH-60P Pave Hawks operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force and Army. This is a representative picture from 2016 showing a US-operated HH-60 in South Korea. (US Air Force)

South Korea's plan to upgrade its military Sikorsky UH/HH-60 helicopters for increased survivability and operational efficiency has attracted a joint interest from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems. However, the bidding process has been delayed to later in 2024 or 2025, according to KAI.

The draft proposal for the upgrades, which South Korea announced in 2022, was valued at KRW960 billion (USD701 million). At the time, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said that the programme was slated to start in 2023 and end in 2030.

However, Janes understands that bidding for the programme is “expected to be opened at the end of this year”, but could be delayed until 2025 depending on the government, according to a KAI spokesperson.

KAI and Hanwha Systems announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) during the Farnborough Airshow in July 2024 to work together to win the tender.

If awarded the project, KAI will be lead systems integrator while Hanwha Systems will “be in charge of the development of avionics systems”, KAI said in a release. A Hanwha Systems spokesperson told Janes that the company will “participate in [the] integration of all avionics systems for UH/HH-60s”.

The programme calls for the development and production of key systems for the helicopters, including “digitalisation and integration of avionics systems”, according to KAI. The objective is to improve “operational capabilities and continuous operations of special operation helicopters of the [Republic of Korea: RoK] Army and Air Force,” KAI said in a release.