The Defense Procurement Program Agency of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Korea has reportedly identified the Sikorsky S-92A+ helicopter as the platform for the “Command Helicopter II” program.

According to Seoul Economic Daily, a test evaluation and negotiations on the terms of the contract are currently underway.

The program targets the purchase of four S-92A+ helicopters, and has an approved budget of 870 billion won (about $568 million), with contracts expected to be signed in the second half of this year. Given inflation and exchange rate fluctuation, the estimated value was been adjusted to 900 billion won.

The acquisition is a replacement program for three S-92A helicopters in current use in the VIP role. These were acquired in 2007, and are all in the first 50 S92s off the production line according to helicopter marketing intelligence firm Parapex Media.  [One of these is seen in the accompanying image]

Local press report four OEMs bid on the early stages of the program. They added that the Bell 525 has not yet achieved certification, and did not conform to the required level of operational maturity. Additionally, the Leonardo AW101 did not meet the lifecycle cost requirements. While no comment was passed on the Airbus H225M, the results of the competitive selection, led to the S-92A+ being the only active participant in the negotiations.

The Korea Coast Guard also operates three S-92s