Sikorsky S-92 Lands South Korean Presidential Helicopter Deal

By Garth Calitz

Four new S-92A+ helicopters will replace South Korea’s ageing presidential fleet, reinforcing Sikorsky’s position in the VIP transport market and demonstrating that, despite the industry's fascination with futuristic flying machines, the conventional helicopter is still very much in demand.

Sikorsky has secured a significant contract with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) for four S-92A+ helicopters under South Korea’s Presidential Helicopter II programme. The selection, announced on 6 November 2026, represents another important endorsement of the S-92 family and extends a relationship between Sikorsky and South Korea that stretches back nearly two decades.

The South Koreans are not exactly strangers to the S-92. The ROKAF currently operates three examples, introduced into service in 2007, which have been used for presidential transport duties. The latest acquisition will replace the existing fleet with four upgraded aircraft, ensuring that South Korea’s presidential air transport capability remains in capable hands.

The S-92A+ is not an entirely new helicopter but an extensively upgraded development of the established S-92 platform. Sikorsky has concentrated on improving performance, payload capability and gearbox reliability rather than reinventing an aircraft that has already established a considerable operational track record.

The upgraded aircraft features more powerful GE CT7-8A6 engines and a new Phase IV main gearbox. These improvements increase maximum gross weight to approximately 27,700 lb (12,565 kg), providing an additional 1,200 lb (544 kg) of payload or fuel capacity compared with earlier configurations.

The gearbox upgrade is particularly significant. It incorporates an auxiliary lubrication system designed to allow the helicopter to continue flying safely following a loss of primary gearbox oil pressure. In the world of heavy helicopters, where the consequences of mechanical failure can be rather more dramatic than an inconvenient roadside breakdown, this is not an insignificant improvement.

For presidential operations, the additional capacity provides greater flexibility for passengers, security personnel, communications equipment and mission-specific systems. Range, endurance and the ability to operate in challenging weather conditions remain essential requirements.

In short, the S-92A+ offers more capability without forcing operators to abandon an aircraft type they already know and understand.

The South Korean selection is particularly welcome as Sikorsky seeks to strengthen the commercial position of the upgraded S-92A+. Production capacity is being expanded at its facilities in Stratford, Connecticut, and Owego, New York, with the company targeting an annual production capability of up to 12 aircraft.

The award also demonstrates that there remains a market for large, conventional helicopters, despite the considerable publicity surrounding electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, autonomous systems and other emerging technologies. There is certainly no shortage of companies promising to revolutionise executive transport. However, when the passenger is a president, the appetite for being the launch customer of an unproven technology tends to diminish rather rapidly.

The S-92A+ represents an evolutionary upgrade to an established presidential transport capability for South Korea. On the other hand, for Sikorsky, it provides another important customer for a helicopter family that continues to demonstrate its relevance in a changing aviation market.

While much of the aviation industry is busy trying to convince the world that helicopters are yesterday's technology, governments responsible for transporting some of the world's most important people are still placing their confidence in them. The S-92A+ may not be revolutionary, but presidential transport is hardly the place to experiment for the sake of being fashionable.

Sometimes, proven engineering is still the most convincing sales pitch.