Sikorsky Aircraft Director of International and Commercial Strategy and Business Development Frank Crisafulli speaks during a press event in Seoul, in this photo provided by the company, Nov. 12. Yonhap

Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin, is willing to build the CH-53K chopper in Korea, a company official said Tuesday, as the company aims to win a multibillion-dollar deal to deliver special operations choppers for Korea's military.

The remark came as the South's state arms procurement agency is planning to spend 3.7 trillion won ($2.6 billion) to buy heavy-lift special operations choppers from overseas from 2024-31, with reportedly 18 aircraft to be purchased under the plan.

Lockheed Martin's CH-53K, along with rival Boeing's CH-47F, are considered the two choppers vying for the deal.

"We have every intention of having all 18 aircraft assembled here in Korea," Frank Crisafulli, Director of International and Commercial Strategy and Business Development, at Sikorsky told reporters in Seoul.

"And from there, we look to evolve that relationship on the CH-53K, not just from simple assembly and final assembly, but to the next step of how we can work together to build parts for KAI here and also to export those to other countries," Crisafulli said, referring to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), Ltd.

Stressing that Lockheed Martin has continuously evolved its ties with KAI, the official said his company values the Korean aerospace firm not just for offset requirements but to take the CH-53K to "its full potential" here.

In the meeting with reporters, Crisafulli also noted how the Korean arms industry has grown remarkably from the past.

"Korea has taken advantage of the technology and paired that with the process to come from simply manufacturing or assembling kits to being a major exporter in the top 10 exporters of the world when it comes to defense technology," he said.

When asked about budget issues, given that securing the CH-53K would cost more than the CH-47F, Crisafulli expressed reluctance over potential price negotiations, saying that "more budget would be needed."

When delivered, the new fleet of special operations aircraft will replace aging special operations choppers and search-and-rescue helicopters used by the Army and the Air Force. (Yonhap)