The Armed Forces of South Korea reaffirmed the continuation of the modernization program for their UH/HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea announced that the project involves an investment of USD 715 million to upgrade a total of 30 helicopters, used by both the Army and the Air Force, with the aim of extending the operational life of the selected aircraft and ensuring they are capable of operating in contested environments.
Although the project had been in development for several months, DAPA confirmed its continuation with an official launch during a meeting held at the Korean Air Technology Center in Busan. The meeting included discussions on the overall work plan, the detailed development of systems to be incorporated, and the planned cooperation measures among the forces, agencies, and local companies involved, according to the agency on September 10.
Currently, the South Korean Army operates a fleet of 103 UH-60P helicopters, as well as four specialized HH-60P Pave Hawks used for combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions. The Air Force operates a total of 25 HH-60P Pave Hawks deployed in similar roles and for Special Operations Forces missions. According to DAPA, the main goal of the project is to extend the service life of the selected aircraft for at least two decades.
The upgrades will primarily focus on improving cockpit avionics with new equipment, including digital maps and multifunction displays, as well as new night vision systems. Additionally, the helicopters’ navigation and communication systems will be enhanced to optimize their capabilities for infiltration missions and survival in emergency situations, with the first modernized aircraft expected to be delivered starting in 2029.
Prior to the launch, the selection of the contractor to carry out the modernization work was a central issue. In May of this year, Korean Air was preferentially selected to carry out the upgrade of the UH-60P Black Hawk helicopters. The decision came weeks after the company submitted its technical and commercial proposal alongside that of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). At that time, it was noted that the work would be carried out on 36 helicopters.
Photographs used for illustration purposes.
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