SEOUL: Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, has expressed its intention to assemble the CH-53K chopper in South Korea as part of its efforts to secure a multibillion-dollar contract to supply special operations helicopters to the South Korean military. According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's state arms procurement agency plans to invest 3.7 trillion won (US$2.6 billion) between 2024 and 2031 to acquire heavy-lift special operations helicopters from overseas, with an expected purchase of 18 aircraft. Lockheed Martin's CH-53K, alongside Boeing's CH-47F, are the primary contenders for this deal. Frank Crisafulli, Director of International and Commercial Strategy and Business Development at Sikorsky, stated during a press event in Seoul, "We have every intention of having all 18 aircraft assembled here in Korea." He further emphasized the potential for collaboration beyond assembly, exploring opportunities to manufacture parts with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for bo th local use and export. Crisafulli highlighted the strong relationship between Lockheed Martin and KAI, emphasizing the significance of the South Korean aerospace firm in unlocking the full potential of the CH-53K. He praised South Korea's advancement in the defense sector, noting its transformation from basic manufacturing to becoming one of the top 10 global exporters of defense technology. Addressing potential budget concerns, Crisafulli acknowledged that acquiring the CH-53K would require a larger budget compared to its competitor, the CH-47F. He indicated that additional budget allocations would be necessary to proceed with the procurement. The newly acquired fleet of special operations aircraft is expected to replace the aging special operations and search-and-rescue helicopters currently in use by South Korea's Army and Air Force.