SEOUL - Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), South Korea's premier aircraft manufacturer, announced on Wednesday that it has secured a major contract worth 1.4 trillion won (approximately US$1.08 billion) with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the production of attack helicopters for the South Korean Army.
According to Yonhap News Agency, KAI will commence the delivery of light attack helicopters (LAHs) to the Army starting in the fourth quarter of 2025. This contract signifies a substantial step in the country's defense capabilities, as these LAHs, developed using local technologies, are set to replace the aging 500MD Tow and AH-1S Cobra helicopters.
KAI has outlined plans to develop various helicopter types based on LAH technologies. These include armored helicopters for special operations and command-and-control helicopters, expanding the range of applications for the new technology.
In efforts to promote the LAHs in the global market, KAI showcased the helicopter's capabilities during its first overseas test flight at the Dubai Airshow in November. This follows a previous contract with DAPA signed in December of last year, wherein KAI agreed to a 300 billion-won deal to build LAHs for the Army, with deliveries scheduled to begin in late 2024.