South Korea may scrap Apache helicopter deal after budget cut

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – South Korea is expected to cancel plans to purchase 36 additional AH-64 Apache helicopters from the US following a major defense budget reduction, Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday.

The National Assembly last week cut the project's budget from 10 billion won (approximately $7.3 million) to 300 million won as part of a supplementary spending package, opposition lawmaker Yoo Yong-won said.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff had already decided in May to reconsider the Apache acquisition and explore alternative options, including manned-unmanned teaming systems, according to Yonhap.

Yoo, from the main opposition People Power Party, argued that the US military is also moving away from “aging, high-maintenance Apache helicopters.”

He expressed support for adopting more advanced unmanned systems such as the Gray Eagle, describing them as part of broader efforts to modernize South Korea’s military.

The supplementary budget, worth 31.8 trillion won (approximately $23.3 billion), was approved Friday to boost the domestic economy.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s administration said the spending plan is aimed at tackling economic challenges and supporting key sectors.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid