Korea’s final Wildcats bare operational claws
The final four of South Korea’s eight Leonardo AW159 Wildcat naval helicopters were formally declared operational on 5 July.
The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) marked the occasion by announcing, ‘The remaining four [helicopters] were deployed at a frontline fleet and put into maritime operations today.’
It is likely that they are being used aboard Incheon-class guided missile frigates in waters to the west of the country where tensions are high.
Cdr Kwak Han-jung, commander of 622 Squadron that is based at Jinhae, additionally commented, ‘As the eight new AW159 maritime operation helicopters with superb anti-submarine, anti-ship detection and
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