State Department Approves $800 Million Sale of Defense Goods to South Korea

The State Department approved a potential sale to South Korea of about $800 million worth of defense-related goods, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in an Aug. 7 press release. The sale includes MH-60R helicopters equipped with radars, sonar systems, targeting systems, GPS navigation systems, guns and more, the press release said. The sale also includes radios, transponders, personnel training and U.S. support services.

The sale supports U.S. national security by helping one of the U.S.'s “closest allies” in the Indo-Pacific region, the DSCA said. It will also help South Korea “perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions” and will not alter the region’s military balance. “It is vital to U.S. national interests to assist the Republic of Korea in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability,” the DSCA said.