Four Wildcat choppers deployed

By Jun Ji-hye

The Navy deployed four of its latest maritime helicopters on frigates Wednesday to better detect North Korean submarines equipped with ballistic missiles.

“We deployed four AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat choppers that we received last year,” a Navy official said on condition of anonymity. “The remaining four will be deployed in July after undergoing training and testing programs for pilots and engineers.”

In 2013, the Navy signed a contract to buy eight Wildcats for about 400 billion won ($350 million) as part of its helicopter procurement project. It received an initial delivery of four last June and the remaining four in December.

To mark its first deployment, the Navy mobilized two Wildcats in a drill Wednesday in waters off the southern Geoje Island aimed at enhancing its capability to detect and attack enemy submarines.

The helicopters carry a low-frequency dipping sonar system that helps detect and track submarines. The choppers are also equipped with the active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar with a range of 360 kilometers and can be armed with torpedoes and guns, the Navy said. It noted that the helicopters are capable of participating in a joint operation with surface vessels and the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft.

“The Wildcat has about four times more improved ability to detect submarines compared to the existing Lynx anti-submarine helicopters,” the official said.

The Navy plans to invest about 900 billion won to buy 12 additional maritime choppers. The three models being considered are the Wildcat, Sikorsky’s MH-60R and NHIndustries’ NH-90, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.