WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― South Korea plans to purchase 14 CH-47 Chinook helicopters from the United States, according to the Pentagon’s weaponry trade arm.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has already notified Congress of South Korea’s request for the sale of the twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopters.

A proposed package deal estimated at $151 million would include spare parts and logistical support under the Foreign Military Sales program, which requires congressional approval.

The CH-47Ds being considered for this sale are currently operated by U.S. Forces Korea and those will be provided from U.S.

Army inventory at the Camp Humphreys base south of Seoul, the DSCA said in a press release.

“If this proposed sale is approved, the aircraft will be sold and transferred to the ROK incrementally once USFK begins taking receipt of new-production CH-47F model aircraft, a process currently estimated to begin in the January 2014 timeframe,” it said.

The planned sales are expected to improve South Korea’s capability to meet current and future requirements for troop movement, medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction support, said the agency. (Yonhap News)