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| Apache Guardian (AH-64E) / Screen captured from Twitter |
The South Korean military is reportedly planning to advance the deployment of AH-64E, Apache Guardian helicopters to increase national security.
The AH-64E was formerly set to deploy in 2018 to replace the superannuated AH-1 Cobra. However, North Korea's recent nuclear test has raised South Korean security concerns.
It would deploy 36 AH-64E helicopters at the rate of at least two a month from May until February next year, media reports said.
The AH-64E is widely known for its heavy armaments, which include 16 hellfire missiles, a 30mm machine gun, and its sophisticated Longbow fire control radar, which can locate up to 256 targets simultaneously within 50 kilometers.
Eighteen AH-64E helicopters make up a battalion, and it is estimated that one battalion is capable of destroying 288 tanks.
Other weapons to be deployed alongside the AH-64E would include the "Chun-moo" multiple rocket launcher, which has an 80-kilometer range and can accurately target North Korea's long-range artillery from outside the North's range of fire; and a new Korean version of the Humvee KM-1 tactical vehicle, which will broaden operation capabilities.
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