South-Korean Air Force and Aerospace Industries developments

[Sandhi Yudha]

The KAI Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) is being developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA). It can be deployed in multiple missions such as light attack, close-air support, escort, and troop transport.

KAI LAH performed its first flight in July 2019. The RoKA is expected to acquire up to 200 LAHs to replace the ageing fleet of Bell AH-1 Cobra and MD 500 Defender helicopters. The first LAH is scheduled to enter service with the RoKA by 2023.

And now South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has provisionally declared the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) fit for combat.

South Korea's Light Armed Helicopter provisionally declared fit for combat

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has provisionally declared the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) fit for...

www.janes.com

From which i understand there is not really a connection with the KAI KUH-1 Surion, but the LAH is developed from the Eurocopter EC155/AS365 Dauphin.

The ROK Navy plans to order 12 maritime helicopters, probably to replace the old UH-1H, but it seems that the navy wants to cboose between the AW159 and MH-60R.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The news has just been released today that the Korean Navy will order 12 Sikorsky MH-60R.

The South-Korean Navy has the UH-60, Westland Lynx and AW159 Wildcat in its fleet, so both the MH-60R or more AW159 will be a logic choice.

S. Korea to buy MH-60R Seahawk to boost Navy's anti-submarine capabilities

South Korea on Tuesday decided to buy U.S. aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky's MH-60R Seahawk helicopter to bolster the Navy's anti-submarine capabilities, the arms procurement agency said. South Korea will sign a contract with the Lockheed Martin Corp. subsidiary this year for the 960 billion won...

m.koreaherald.com

 

[ngatimozart]

The news has just been released today that the Korean Navy will order 12 Sikorsky MH-60R.

The South-Korean Navy has the UH-60, Westland Lynx and AW159 Wildcat in its fleet, so both the MH-60R or more AW159 will be a logic choice.

Hmmm, logically they should've gone with the Wildcat instead of introducing a new platform into the fleet. Training, systems and all that. I wonder if they aren't all to happy with the Wildcat?

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Hmmm, logically they should've gone with the Wildcat instead of introducing a new platform into the fleet. Training, systems and all that. I wonder if they aren't all to happy with the Wildcat?

Thats true, although the MH-60R is similar to the older standard UH-60 they already have, it was easier for the logistics, operations, training and maintenance (and because of that also cheaper) to add more AW159 Wildcats. Maybe its because of political reasons.

 

[ngatimozart]

Thats true, although the MH-60R is similar to the older standard UH-60 they already have, it was easier for the logistics, operations, training and maintenance (and because of that also cheaper) to add more AW159 Wildcats. Maybe its because of political reasons.

I have heard rumours that the Wildcat isn't anywhere as good as the Lynx was. They are just rumours though. But it hasn't had anywhere near the export success of the Lynx.

 

[Redlands18]

I have heard rumours that the Wildcat isn't anywhere as good as the Lynx was. They are just rumours though. But it hasn't had anywhere near the export success of the Lynx.

Yes you could be right there NG, the Wikipedia* page on the AW-159 claims it defeated the MH-60R in a competition in 2013, if that is correct then maybe they are not happy with the Wildcat.

*Only Wikipedia so I haven’t bothered to provide a link but the information is at least plausible.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

The Surion Marine Attack Helicopter looks quite cool, reminds me to the Rambo Fist Blood 2 Evil-Russia hellicopter.

The Republic of Korea Marine Corps (RoKMC) has a requirement for 20–24 such rotorcraft.

South Korea to develop indigenous attack helicopter for RoKMC

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on 26 April that the country is planning to develop an indigenous attack helicopter to meet a...

www.janes.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed an agreement with Boeing to resume production of AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter fuselages in South Korea. Until 2017 KAI already produced AH-64 fuselages.

To meet current production and delivery contract milestones for the AH-64E Apache helicopter, both TBAL (Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited) and KAI will continue to produce the fuselages.

KAI to resume Apache helo fuselage production

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed an agreement with Boeing to resume production of AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopter fuselages in South Korea, Janes has...

www.janes.com

 

[Ananda]

Video on KAI Transport concept. Shown resembles to Kawasaki C-2, Embrear C-390 and An-178. Twin Turbofan instead Turboprop. No clear indication whether this will be closer to C-130J class like C-390 or to A-400M class like C-2.

Quite ambitious concept for multirole including tankers configuration, MPA, CAS and abilities to lunch satellite carrying rocket.

 

[Redlands18]

Video on KAI Transport concept. Shown resembles to Kawasaki C-2, Embrear C-390 and An-178. Twin Turbofan instead Turboprop. No clear indication whether this will be closer to C-130J class like C-390 or to A-400M class like C-2.

Quite ambitious concept for multirole including tankers configuration, MPA, CAS and abilities to lunch satellite carrying rocket.

Defense World

View News at Defense World

www.defenseworld.net

They are also looking at developing a 100 seat Airliner based on the same design, so probably more in the C-130 to KC-390 class, which would make more sense for S Korea to be looking more at a Tactical Airlifter then a Strategic one.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Defense World

View News at Defense World

www.defenseworld.net

They are also looking at developing a 100 seat Airliner based on the same design, so probably more in the C-130 to KC-390 class, which would make more sense for S Korea to be looking more at a Tactical Airlifter then a Strategic one.

Yes, looking to the images and video, it looks like the new KAI transport aircraft, will be something between the Embrear KC-390 and the Kawasaki C-2.

KAI proposes developing indigenous military transport aircraft

Korea Aerospace Industry (KAI) has released a promotional video showing computer-generated imagery (CGI) of the multirole military transport aircraft the company is...

www.janes.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Eurocopter and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) agreed to start serial production of their jointly developed Light Armed Helicopter. Deliveries to the Republic of Korea Army of an initial 10 helicopters will begin in December 2024.

The Light Armed Helicopter, based on the EC155 platform (which in turn is based on the AS365 Dauphin), will replace the Korean armed forces’ aging AH-1S Cobra and MD 500 helicopters. KAI will produce the aircraft at its facility in Sacheon, South Korea, with Eurocopter delivering the kits required for serial production.

Airbus, KAI to start Light Armed Helicopter production for Korean Army

Deliveries are slated to begin in late 2024 and last into the next decade, according to an Airbus spokeswoman.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Ananda]

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From ADEX 2023 of LIG Nex1 booth. As the main developer of ROK missiles. Shown smart guided bomb, KALCM which being prepared as KF-21 main long range cruise missiles, and their Anti Missiles Shield.