This Year's Aviation Industry Watchpoints (6) - Additional Acquisition of Apache and Next-Generation Fighter Jets

[Monthly Aviation Editor-in-Chief Kim Jae-han] The Army's project to additionally procure AH-64E Apache Guardians is set to be reflected in this year's Defense Mid-term Plan. Previously, the Army introduced 36 Apache Guardians through the Large Attack Helicopter (AH-X) project. Although the exact number of additional units to be procured has not been decided, it is known to range from 24 to a maximum of 48. If 48 units are additionally procured, the number of Apache battalions, each composed of 18 helicopters, will increase from the current two to four.

In particular, if additional Apache Guardians are procured, the possibility of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operation will be a noteworthy aspect. The so-called MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) capability refers to manned and unmanned assets forming 'one team' through data links. A representative example is the combined operation between the Apache and the MQ-1C Grey Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Grey Eagle is already performing MUM-T with the Apache in the U.S. Army, and such capabilities are also possessed by the U.S. Forces Korea.

This MUM-T capability has not been applied to the aircraft currently operated by the Army, but if the additional units to be procured are version 6 with MUM-T functionality, UAV operation will become possible. In fact, the Army is known to have a strong interest in UAV operations.

The next-generation fighter additional procurement project is also underway. The F-X Phase 2 project, which aims to procure 20 additional next-generation fighters, is expected to begin in 2021, with this year dedicated to establishing the project promotion strategy and conducting a feasibility study. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the F-X Phase 2 project will establish a basic project promotion strategy based on the requirements verification results, undergo a feasibility study, and then proceed with the project over five years starting in 2021 with a budget of approximately 4 trillion won. While most forecasts suggest that the procurement model will effectively be the F-35A, DAPA and the Air Force officially state that no decision has been made yet.

Meanwhile, the Phase 1 project is currently underway. After the contract was signed in 2014, the first two units arrived in Korea in March last year. By the end of last year, a total of 13 units had been procured, with the 12th unit being commissioned on December 17. According to DAPA, all 40 units of the Phase 1 project will be procured by 2021, and full operational capability is expected to be achieved by 2022.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.