Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has signed a contract to deliver KUH-1 Surion utility transport helicopters to Iraq.
The 136-billion South Korean won ($92.7 million) agreement covers two of the aircraft, which will also mark the company’s first Surion deal with Baghdad.
Shipment of the systems will be completed by March 2029, according to a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap.
The award followed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani’s meeting with KAI representatives this December to “affirm” the defense cooperation between the Middle Eastern republic and its East Asian industry partner.
The parties also discussed initiatives to finalize the construction of an Iraqi Air Force base in Al-Suwaira and provide the site with aircraft.
“This initiative aligns with the objectives of the government program aimed at achieving security sector reform and advancing the capacities of security forces,” the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office said in a press release.
“Prime Minister Al-Sudani highlighted Iraq’s need to diversify its sources of military armament, a focus of the government’s comprehensive plan to enhance the readiness and efficiency of security forces and strengthen the country’s defense capabilities against internal and external challenges.”
Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today representatives of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
The Prime Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to cooperating with KAI and benefiting from its expertise and capabilities to develop and enhance Iraq’s air defense… https://t.co/v0Jh46gvT3
— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) December 23, 2024
Package for South Korea
During the contract’s announcement, KAI also revealed it had accepted a separate project from Seoul to supply helicopters for the Korea Coast Guard and the Korea Forest Service.
Among the rotorcraft to be distributed is a Surion model equipped with a next-generation active electronically scanned array radar, an electro-optical infrared camera, icing countermeasures, and additional components for search and rescue missions.
The fleet is expected to arrive by December 2027.
“Through the development of military and official derivative helicopters, Surion has acquired optional equipment that can perform various missions,” KAI President Kang Koo-young stated.
“KAI will continue to develop technology to secure competitiveness that can meet the needs of all domestic and international customers in the rotary-wing field.”
To date, the South Korean government employs more than 260 Surion helicopters in armed forces and federal configurations.
KAI’s KUH-1 Surion System
The Surion was introduced to the Republic of Korea Army in 2013 to replace the force’s aging fleet of Bell UH-1 Iroquois and MD 500 helicopters.
It has an overall length of 19 meters (62 feet) and capacity for more than 10 passengers or about 2,700 kilograms (5,952 pounds) of external load.
The platform is powered by a twin General Electric/Hanwha Aerospace turboshaft engine with approximately 1,900 horsepower for a speed of 270 kilometers (168 miles) per hour), range of 450 nautical miles (833 kilometers/518 miles), and a service ceiling of 15,000 feet (4,572 meters).
The Surion can be armed with mounted machine guns, air-launched rockets, and anti-tank guided missiles.
