Bell has proposed license production of AH-1Z with Korean Air

The South Korean Marine Corps is shopping for an attack helicopter and Bell is proposing to license build its AH-1Z with Korean Air in order to secure the contract.

A U.S. Marine AH-1Z Viper with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167 takes off in Charleston, West Virginia, July 26, 2019. HMLA-167 is subordinate command of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. William L.Holdaway)


The disclosure of Bell’s proposal to South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) was made by People Power Party lawmaker Han Ki-ho.

Han said this was Bell’s third attempt to offer license production of the AH-1Z to South Korea. He said two e-mails sent by Bell in October and November last regarding the proposal were ignored by DAPA.

While the plan is to acquire an attack variant of the KAI Marineon to meet the Marines’ requirements, President Yoon Suk-yeol had said during his election campaign that he will equip the Marine Corps with “weapons with proven battle capabilities.”

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