This article summarizes reporting by Asiae.

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved a 3.24 trillion won ($2.4 billion) project on September 15, 2026, to acquire approximately 20 additional Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). The acquisition, scheduled to run from 2025 through 2032, will replace the navy’s aging fleet of shipborne Westland Lynx helicopters and expand its anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

The approval of the Maritime Operational Helicopter-II project follows a May 18, 2026, clearance by the U.S. State Department for a potential $3 billion Foreign Military Sale of up to 24 MH-60R airframes to South Korea. According to reporting by Asiae, the final number of helicopters will be solidified during concluding contract negotiations, though DAPA currently projects a fleet addition of around 20 aircraft.

Expanding the Republic of Korea Navy fleet

The ROKN is already in the process of integrating the Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk into its frontline operations. South Korea signed an initial $878 million contracts in December 2020 for 12 of the maritime helicopters. The first airframe from that order was delivered in December 2024.

Operational deployment of the initial batch began recently, with the first two Seahawks entering active service on April 1, 2026, at the 62nd Maritime Aviation Squadron based in Jinhae. The newly approved second batch will significantly increase the ROKN’s operational footprint and surface fleet integration.

Brigadier General Kang Seong-kwon, head of the Aircraft Business Division at DAPA, highlighted the platform’s multi-role utility during the procurement process.

“The new MH-60R maritime operational helicopter is capable of performing various missions, including anti-submarine, anti-ship, and search and rescue operations,” Kang stated.

Technical specifications and parallel defense projects

The Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk is designed for a maximum takeoff weight of 10.2 tons and can reach a maximum speed of 180 knots. The platform is equipped with advanced sensor suites and weapon systems tailored for detecting and neutralizing underwater and surface threats, a critical requirement for South Korea’s maritime defense strategy.

During the same September 15, 2026, Defense Project Promotion Committee meeting, DAPA authorized a separate 2.16 trillion won initiative. This parallel project aims to indigenously develop vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by 2036, further modernizing the country’s aerial surveillance capabilities.

AirPro News analysis

We view DAPA’s rapid follow-on order for the Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk as a strong indicator of the ROKN’s satisfaction with the initial 2020 batch. Transitioning from the legacy Westland Lynx to a unified fleet of MH-60Rs streamlines maintenance, training, and interoperability with United States Navy assets operating in the Indo-Pacific region. The slight discrepancy between the U.S. State Department’s approval for 24 airframes and DAPA’s stated goal of “approximately 20” is standard in Foreign Military Sales, where the maximum approved quantity often provides a buffer for final budget negotiations and equipment configurations.

Sources: Asiae

GE Aerospace is advancing toward the physical assembly of its first XA102 adaptive cycle engine test asset for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. The manufacturers is currently procuring hardware and conducting subcomponent testing with its supply chain to support the prototype build.

In a press release issued on September 14, 2026, the company confirmed the progress at its Edison Works facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. The XA102 program introduces a shift in defense manufacturing processes, as it represents the first engine built entirely using model-based definition (MBD). This approach replaces traditional two-dimensional engineering drawings with a machine-readable digital format that spans from initial design through final assembly.

Transitioning from design to physical assembly

The move toward physical assembly follows the successful completion of the Assembly Readiness Review (ARR) for the XA102 engine in May 2026. The ARR milestone validated that the engine design, manufacturing processes, and supply chain were mature enough to support prototype construction.

Jorge Perez, General Manager of Edison Works Advanced Combat Engines at GE Aerospace, outlined the current phase of the program.

“Our team is working with suppliers to procure hardware and test subcomponents as we prepare for assembly of the first XA102 test asset,” Perez stated.

Adaptive cycle technology and the NGAP competition

The USAF initiated the NGAP program to develop propulsion systems capable of powering future sixth-generation combat aircraft. Adaptive cycle engines like the XA102 are designed to reconfigure their internal airflow during flight. This capability allows the engine to switch between high-thrust modes optimized for combat maneuvers and high-efficiency modes designed for cruising, providing greater range and improved thermal management compared to conventional turbofan engines.

GE Aerospace is developing the XA102 using thermal management, fuel efficiency, and advanced design methods established during its earlier XA100 adaptive cycle engine program.

“With our learnings from the XA100 program as a foundation, we are well positioned to advance adaptive cycle engine technology and support the Air-Forces‘s vision for next-generation propulsion,” Perez noted.

The NGAP program remains a competitive acquisition effort. Pratt & Whitney also completed the ARR for its respective NGAP candidate, the XA103, in May 2026.

AirPro News analysis

We view the transition to a fully MBD architecture as a critical evolution for military engine procurement. By eliminating two-dimensional drawings, GE Aerospace can theoretically reduce translation errors between engineering and manufacturing, potentially accelerating the assembly timeline for the XA102 test asset.

While various open-source platforms and third-party aggregators have linked the NGAP engines to a specific “Boeing F-47″ platform, official communications from both GE Aerospace and the USAF refer exclusively to “future combat aircraft” and the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. We note that the specific airframe designation remains unconfirmed by primary sources, and the propulsion development currently proceeds independent of a finalized, public airframe selection.

Sources: GE Aerospace

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 tactical transport helicopter to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA), initiating a phased rollout of 18 specialized aircraft designed for special operations.

The handover took place on July 30, 2026, at the manufacturer’s facility in Marignane, France. According to a press release from Airbus, the aircraft will be operated by the French Army Light Aviation (ALAT) 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment based in Pau. The Standard 2 configuration builds upon the existing NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) platform, introducing advanced digitalization and modular communication systems intended to support complex missions in degraded environments.

Technical upgrades and operational capabilities

The NH90 Standard 2 incorporates several hardware and software modifications tailored to the requirements of special forces operators. Key integrations include the Safran Euroflir 410 D electro-optical system and a new digital map generator, which together enhance situational awareness for the flight crew. The airframe features enlarged rear sliding windows designed to accommodate self-protection guns, alongside provisions for a third crew member station.

With the addition of external fuel tanks, the variant achieves an operational range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The aircraft architecture also emphasizes rapid integration of future technologies.

Integrating a new communications system is a complex and costly process. The NH90 Standard 2 comes pre-equipped with antennas and cabling to accommodate any type of new radio installation. Voice, data, satellite transmission, everything can be installed quickly and easily in the helicopter, which also has the capacity to control drones. It’s revolutionary.

The quote, provided by an unnamed officer from the 4th Special Forces Helicopter Regiment in the Airbus announcement, highlights the platform’s shift toward network-centric operations.

Program timeline and international adoption

The development of the Standard 2 variant began following a contract issued in October 2020 by the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA). Flight testing for the initial prototype commenced in June 2024, leading to the start of production in early 2025. Airbus expects to complete deliveries of the 18 helicopters ordered by France by mid-2029.

The configuration has already secured international interest. In December 2025, Spain joined the program with an order for 31 NH90s in a similar standard.

We are honoured to deliver this NH90 Standard 2 to the French armed forces. This new standard builds upon the proven capabilities of the NH90 TTH with new breakthrough features designed specifically for special forces. More than ever, special forces operators will be able to execute their difficult missions in the toughest environments.

Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, noted that Spain’s participation in developing features for crew situational awareness indicates the new standard is positioned to become a benchmark for special forces globally.

AirPro News analysis

The delivery of the NH90 Standard 2 highlights a growing requirement among NATO members for rotorcraft that function as integrated command and control nodes rather than simple troop transports. By pre-equipping the airframe with modular cabling and antennas, Airbus and NAHEMA are addressing a historical pain point in military aviation: the prohibitive cost and downtime associated with retrofitting communication suites. The explicit inclusion of drone control capabilities within the helicopter’s systems reflects a broader tactical shift, where manned rotorcraft will increasingly operate in tandem with unmanned aerial systems to extend sensor reach and reduce risk in contested airspace.

Sources: Airbus