Zarvan
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2011
- Messages
- 54,470
- Reaction score
- 87
- Country
- Location
A model of the LAH being displayed at the ADEX 2015 defence exhibition in Seoul, South Korea. The nose-mounted 20 mm cannon is one of the platform's most striking features, and will make the helicopter somewhat unique in its class. Source: IHS/Gareth Jennings
Airbus Helicopters is to begin promoting to the international market both the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Light Attack Helicopter (LAH) it is jointly developing for the South Korean armed forces, with the expectation of securing hundreds of orders for both types, a company official said on 20 August.
Speaking at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition (ADEX) 2015, Norbert Ducrot, head of North Asia, said that with Airbus Helicopters and its Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) partner to begin marketing of the LUH Surion in 2016 and the LAH in 2017, he expects to sell at least 300 of the former and 300-400 of the latter to international customers.
"There are more than 3,000 Vietnam War-era helicopters that need replacing, and we conservatively expect to secure about 10% of this market [for the Surion LUH]. We are also quite optimistic about the LAH, as it is the only mid-sized attack helicopter and we will be pricing it very competitively. It will be well-suited for those countries that cannot afford an Apache, especially in the Middle East and Asia," he said.
With development having begun in 2006, the LUH Surion is already in service with the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) as the intended replacement for the Bell UH-1 'Huey' and Hughes-Korean Air MD 500 Defender helicopters. Production began in 2012 and is set to continue through to 2040 (including exports), with the RoKA due to receive 245 platforms in total.
As well as the RoKA, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps is to adapt the helicopter for its mission also, and the Republic of Korea Navy is looking at developing an anti-submarine and anti-surface vessel warfare variant under the South Korean maritime operations helicopter programme. This naval variant will feature folding rotor blades and tail boom for shipborne operations, and the Ministry of Defence is expected to make a decision on the project in mid-2016.
Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options ihs.com/contact
To read the full article, Client Login
(339 of 593 words)
ADEX 2015: Airbus Helicopters prepares for LUH and LAH exports - IHS Jane's 360
