Seoul: South Korea's arms procurement agency is set to upgrade the military's Black Hawk helicopters to incorporate a digital cockpit and enhance pilot survivability during special operations, officials announced on Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 994.3 billion-won (US$715 million) initiative aims to upgrade the UH/HH-60 helicopters, which are utilized by both the Army and Air Force. The Black Hawk, originally introduced to the South Korean military from the United States in the 1990s, is a versatile helicopter primarily used for special operations. Currently, the South Korean military operates over 100 of these helicopters.
The planned upgrades will focus on equipping the cockpit with advanced digital equipment, such as digital maps and multifunction displays. These enhancements are intended to improve the helicopter's navigating and communication systems, thereby increasing troops' capabilities for air infiltration and boosting their survivability in emergency situations.
Approximately 30 Black Hawk helicopters are slated for these upgrades, with the upgraded versions anticipated to be operational beginning in 2029.