What Are The World's Most Expensive Military Helicopters?

What Are The World’s Most Expensive Military Helicopters?

• The world’s most expensive military helicopter is the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, costing $97 million.
• The Eurocopter Tiger, designed as an anti-tank helicopter, comes in at $73 million.
• The Boeing AH-64 Apache, a popular attack gunship, has a price tag of $52 million.

Since helicopters first entered service during World War Two, they have been developed to such an extent that today, military helicopters cost millions of dollars. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of today’s top five most expensive military helicopters.

German aircraft manufacturer Heinkel built and flew the world’s first practical military helicopter in 1935. However, it was only at the end of WWII that helicopters were used in combat. Military helicopters played a more prominent role during the Korean War 1950-1953, where they were used for conscience and medical evacuations.

Military helicopters perform multiple roles

During the mid to late 1950s, the United States Army sought a new medivac utility helicopter, leading Bell to develop the UH-1 Iroquois, better known by its nickname Huey. Used extensively throughout the Vietnam War, Bell also developed the AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter, which became the forerunner of the Boeing AH-64 Apache.

Today, modern militaries use helicopters to perform different roles. Some are designed as troop and logistics transports, while others are used for ground attacks and anti-submarine warfare. With this in mind, below is a list of five of the world’s most expensive helicopters in service today.

Mi-35M $36 million

The Mi-35M, NATO code name Hind E, is a Russian transport ground attack helicopter based on the long-serving Mil Mi-24. Nicknamed the “Flying Tank,” both the modern Mi-35M and the older Mil Mi-24 are being used by both Russia and Ukraine in the ongoing war. According to the website Defence Street, a Mi-35M costs $36 million.

Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk $47.7 million

The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk is a United States Navy version of the much-used United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk. Designed to be operated from multiple ships ranging in size from frigates to aircraft carriers, the Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk has folding rotor blades and a flooding tail to take up less room. According to Aero Corner, a Sikorsky SH-40 Seahawk costs $47.7 million.

Boeing AH-64 Apache $52

The prototype was developed by Hughes Helicopters as the Model 77 and made its maiden flight on September 30, 1975. Hughes was acquired by McDonnell Douglas in 1984, who continued with the development, delivering the new attack gunship to the United States Army in 1986. Following Boeing being bought by McDonnell Douglas in 1997, the Apache is still manufactured today and has seen action in multiple conflicts worldwide. According to the Soldier Project, a Boeing AH-64 Apache costs $52 million.

Eurocopter Tiger $73 million

Developed by Airbus Helicopters (formally Eurocopter) in the 1980s, the Eurocopter Tiger was designed to be an anti-tank helicopter. With the Cold War ongoing, the threat was that if the Soviet Union were to invade, it would do so by first sending tanks across the North German Plain. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the threat lessened, but the Germans and French continued the program to develop a multirole helicopter. According to Heli Start, a Eurocopter Tiger costs $73 million.

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Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion $97 million

Designed and produced by Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Marine Corps, the CH-53K King Stallion is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter. It is the largest helicopter in the American military, with a greater lift capacity than the Boeing CH-47 Chinook. Able to carry as many as 30 troops, the Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion can transport a Humvee internally or carry up to 36,000 lbs of equipment. According to USNI News, a Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion costs $97 million.