The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the body in charge of defense programs in South Korea, has launched tenderto strengthen its fleet of anti-submarine helicopters with 8 AW159 Wildcats. The call for tenders, for 12 units to be delivered in 2022, will be officially launched next month. 3 manufacturers are invited to tender, Leonardo with the AW159 Wildcat already in operation, Sikorski with the MH-60R, and NHIndustries with the NH90.
If Leonardo seems to have an advantage with its fleet already used by the Korean navy, which presents significant advantages in terms of maintenance and training, the NH90 has very superior capabilities in terms of anti-submarine warfare, having benefited from the ASM expertise of the French Navy. However, it continues to suffer from availability and maintenance issues, which will likely work against it.