South Korean Navy takes delivery of 4 Agusta Westland Wildcat Helicopters

: Posted On Wednesday, 27 July 2016 12:12

Naval Forces News - South Korea

South Korean Navy takes delivery of 4 Agusta Westland Wildcat Helicopters

According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's Navy said Wednesday it has received an initial delivery of four Wildcat helicopters it purchased as part of its ongoing efforts to beef up its fighting capability.

One of the four Wildcat helicopter delivered to the South Korean Navy at its base in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province (Photo Yonhap News Agency)

In 2013, the Navy signed a contract to buy eight AgustaWestland Wildcat marine helicopters for about 400 billion won (US$350 million), he said.

The helicopters, which carry a low-frequency dipping sonar system that helps it detect and track submarines, will be mounted on frigates or naval destroyers to be used in search and rescue operations, according to the Ministry of National Defense.

AgustaWestland is a Britain-Italy joint venture company specialized in helicopter design and manufacturing.
"Another four Wildcat helicopters are scheduled to arrive by the end of this year after undergoing a series of tests at home and overseas," a Navy spokesman said.

In addition to the eight Wildcats, the Navy plans to spend another 900 billion won ($790 million) to buy 12 more helicopters. But it has not yet decided on the time frame for the purchase and the manufacturer, the spokesman said.