Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is offering an upgraded variant of its Surion Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) to the international export market, with a prototype example being exhibited at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX).
The prototype Surion 1E utility helicopter for the international export market was exhibited at ADEX 2019. (IHS Markit/Gareth Jennings)
Speaking to Jane’s on 15 October, a company representative said that the Surion KUH 1E has received a number of enhancements that would appeal to the international market, in particular regarding its avionics.
“The helicopter has been fitted with Garmin avionics, as the systems in the Surions being flown by the Korean armed forces are now too old for export customers,” Jae Hun Jeong, KAI systems engineer, said, adding, “The cabin door has been upgraded also, [and] a bulkhead for external [fuel] tanks and weapons has been fitted as well.”
Jeong said that development began four years ago, but that to date only the one prototype aircraft has been built. A number of Asian countries have expressed an interest, but he declined to name them. KAI’s partner in the Surion KUH, Airbus Helicopters, has previously told Jane’s that it sees potential global sales of up to 300 helicopters.
With development having begun in 2006, the Surion KUH is currently in service with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) as the replacement for the Bell UH-1 ‘Huey’ helicopter. Production began in 2012 and is set to continue through 2040 (including exports), with the RoKA due to receive 245 platforms in total.
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