Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) has secured its first export order for the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter. The deal, valued at approximately $93.4million, involves the sale of the domestically developed helicopter to the Iraqi government. This contract not only represents a major win for KAI but also signals the growing international interest in South Korean defence technology.
Photo by ROKAF (2013), CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The agreement, finalised on Dec. 23, will see KAI supply the helicopters to Iraq by March 2029. The project itself is slated to run from Mar. 31, 2025 to Mar. 31, 2029. This timeline provides KAI with a clear schedule for production and delivery of the KUH-1 Surion.
The KUH-1 Surion, also known simply as Surion, is a medium-sized utility helicopter. This aircraft is not just a product of KAI; it represents a collaborative effort between KAI, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), making it South Korea’s first homegrown helicopter. The Surion has been a workhorse for the South Korean Army since its introduction in 2012. With over 200 units currently in operation, the helicopter performs various roles, from air assault to cargo airlift missions.
This export agreement is significant, as it marks the first time the KUH-1 Surion will be sold to a foreign nation. This deal with Iraq indicates a growing confidence in South Korean aerospace capabilities and establishes KAI as a reliable defence supplier. It is also worth noting that KAI is in active discussions with a Southeast Asian country for a potential follow-on sale of the KUH-1 Surion.
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