S. Korea to form attack helicopter unit by 2013: source

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details from para 3)
SEOUL, Aug. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will form an attack helicopter unit to fill
a hole in its deterrent capability that could be left by the withdrawal of a U.S.
Apache battalion, a military source said Sunday.
The plan calls for the unit to be assembled by 2013, after Seoul resumes full
wartime operational control of its armed forces in April the year prior. That
control is currently held by a U.S. military commander.
The brigade-size unit, the source said, is expected to be made up of large
Apache-size helicopters that can carry a heavy combat duty, survive in today's
battlefield environments and replace the country's aging fleet of AH-1 Cobra
choppers. The establishment of the unit could be delayed by two years if funding
is a problem.
"The switch in operational command will result in a considerable amount of
changes for both the Korean and the U.S. military, and the new unit may be needed
to counter any weaknesses caused by the possible withdrawal of the remaining U.S.
AH-64 Apache battalion," one defense ministry source said, requesting anonymity.
While there has been no official notice, there is a chance that Washington may
pull out its Apaches by the end of 2012, according to the source.
The United States had stationed three Apache battalions in South Korea, each with
about 24 choppers, but two have been withdrawn in recent years. The Apache's
primary role in the country is to attack armored formations and counter possible
infiltration by North Korean special forces.
Others in the defense ministry said the new envisaged unit may be made up of both
used Apache helicopters bought from the United States and indigenous aircraft.
South Korea has for many years considered building its own attack helicopters
that can meet its operational requirements, although the plan has been delayed
because of soaring costs.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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