South Korea has completed the delivery of its KUH-1 Surion helicopters to the Republic of Korea Army.
Its last unit was handed over 12 years after the first helicopter was transferred from developer Korea Aerospace Industries. The army now operates around 245 Surions.
The helicopters were developed to replace the force’s aging UH-1H and 500MD helicopters.
Seoul’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) explained that the aircraft will mainly conduct air assault and cargo airlift missions.
The agency also said that upgrades to the helicopters are now underway, including an update on their power transmission systems.
Conceptualized in 2006, the KUH-1 is the product of the Korea Helicopter Korea Helicopter Project, which sought to create new utility helicopters that will replace older army aircraft.
It can travel as fast as 235 miles (270 kilometers) per hour, and can carry up to 13 passengers, including its two pilots.
Its variants include an amphibious model for the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, a firefighting model for the country’s Forest Service, and an attack model fitted with homing short-range missiles.
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