US State Dept OKs $800M helicopter deal for South Korea

WASHINGTON

The U.S. State Department signed off Wednesday on a potential $800 million sale of military helicopters to South Korea.

The sale of 12 MH-60R multi-mission helicopters with associated equipment and support still needs to clear a congressional review before it is finalized.

The aircraft will be used to bolster the South Korean Navy's anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities as well as for search and rescue operations, the Pentagon's Defense Security and Cooperation Agency said in a statement.

"The Republic of Korea will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense," it said.

The announcement came hours after Trump said Wednesday morning that Seoul "agreed to pay a lot more money toward us," repeating criticism he has repeatedly voiced about U.S. allies not shouldering what he considers a fair share of the defense burden.

"South Korea and I have made a deal where they're paying a lot more money, and they're going to pay a lot more money. And the relationship is a very good one," Trump said.

It is unclear if he was referring to the helicopter purchase, however.