Korea Aerospace Industries Co. (KAI), the country's sole aircraft manufacturer, announced it has signed a 1.4 trillion-won (US$1.08 billion) deal with the state defense procurement agency to build helicopters for the country's Army.
Under the deal signed with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), KAI will begin delivering light attack helicopters (LAHs) to the Army in the fourth quarter of 2025, the company said in a statement.
LAHs, the country's second helicopter developed with local technologies, will replace aging 500MD Tow and AH-1S Cobra helicopters, the statement said.
KAI said it will develop different types of helicopters, such as armored helicopters for special operations and command-and-control helicopters based on LAH technologies.
To export LAHs, the company showcased the helicopter's first overseas test flight at the Dubai Airshow in November.
In December last year, KAI signed a 300 billion-won contract with DAPA to build LAHs for the Army, with the delivery set to begin in late 2024.
