The US State Department has approved the sale of 24 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters and AH-64E Apache upgrades to Seoul with an estimated value of $3 billion.

The contract also includes navigation, sonar, spare parts, test equipment, communications equipment, publications and technical documentation, along with personnel training and training equipment.

The proposed sale will improve Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by strengthening its Navy’s multi mission helicopter capability.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, located in Owego, New York.