The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has approved a request from the Republic of Korea (ROK) to purchase up-to 36 new AH-64E Apache Guardian's through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program at an estimated cost of $US 3.5 billion (~$5.19 billion). If the entire approved package is utilised, the ROK will double its fleet of Apache helicopters. The ROK Army previously purchased 36 AH-64E Apaches in 2013.
Included in the approval, which was publicly disclosed on 19 August, are up-to 36 AH-64E helicopters, 76 T-700 GE engines, 36 AN/ASQ-170 Modernised Target Acquisition and Designation Sight/AN/AAR-11 Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensors, 14 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Mast Mounted Assembly, 14 AN/APG-78 Fire Control Radars (FCR) with Radar Electronic Units (REU), 14 AN/APR-48B Modernised-Radar Frequency Interferometers. The package also includes various weapons, including 456 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles, 152 Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles (JAGM), M230 and M139 cannons, and 2.75-inch rockets as well as 30mm rounds.
The ROK is one of only two countries alongside India to produce aerostructures for the Apache helicopter. In 2002, Korean Air signed an agreement with Boeing to be the sole-supplier of Apache Guardian fuselage. While that deal lapsed in 2017, in 2021, Korean Air again started producing fuselage for the program.