South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has signed an agreement with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to support the production in South Korea of Airbus Helicopters’ H155 (formerly EC155 B1) light utility helicopter.
MOLIT said in a press release on 18 September that the new accord facilitates Airbus’ relocation of its H155 production line from Marseille, France to a facility in Sacheon, in the south of the country. MOLIT said the relocation will take place next year, with the aim to support the development of the national aerospace industry.
Airbus Helicopters and Korea Aerospace Industries are planning to collaborate on the production in South Korea of the H155 helicopter, which forms the base design of South Korea’s Light Attack Helicopter (pictured). (Airbus Helicopters)
The ministry added, “Airbus plans to relocate its [H155] helicopter production line to Sacheon by 2021, and this business agreement contains the details of co-operation between the two sides to support smooth helicopter production in Korea.”
The Yonhap news agency in South Korea said the local production facility will be jointly run by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which is based in Sacheon, and Airbus Helicopters. An official from MOLIT was quoted by Yonhap as saying, “Airbus and KAI will set up a joint company within this year in South Korea to manage the production and delivery of the [H155] helicopters.”
Janes has previously reported that Airbus Helicopters was planning to move its H155 assembly line to South Korea with in-country production set to run through to 2050.
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