KAI wins production contract for Light Attack Helicopter
KAI has been awarded a first production contract for ten Light Attack Helicopters for the ROK Army. (Image: KAI)
On 22 December 2022, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) signed a contract for initial production batch of Light Attack Helicopters (LAH).
The contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) is worth KRW302 billion ($236 million), and covers the first ten LAHs, as well as operator training, maintenance equipment and spare parts.
KAI will fulfil the contract over a three-year period, with the first helicopter due for delivery to the customer in December 2024.
However, KAI expects ongoing LAH production to continue until 2031, as follow-on contracts are awarded that may eventually amount to KRW5.75 trillion.
The OEM described the
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
Planned Singapore fighter detachment in Guam scrapped
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said the decision to discontinue discussions on the fighter training detachment was mutually agreed with the US.
-
India fast-tracks indigenous MALE drones as US trade rift stalls big-ticket deals
With US tariffs and stalled defence talks slowing imports, India has cleared a $3.4 billion plan for 87 tri‑service MALE UAVs with 60% indigenous content – accelerating self‑reliance as operational lessons from May’s four‑day conflict drive urgency.
-
Elbit Systems discloses Iron Beam update and work on laser solution for IAF
In its Q2 earnings call, the company said it has internal targets set for similar double-digit growth for 2026, as it welcomed a 21% boost in 2025 profits so far compared to 2024.
-
Poland confirms US$3.8 billion F-16V upgrade
The Mid-Life Upgrade agreement comes as Poland makes significant increases in its defence spend as its plans to increase it to 5% of GDP by 2026.
-
How unconventional warfare demands are changing the CUAS and drone development landscape
The use of drones in unconventional ways is accelerating technological advances and countermeasures as military planners try to stay ahead of the drone revolution in military affairs.
-
Applied Intuition takes aim at major air combat programmes with UK expansion
The autonomous software company’s new UK subsidiary is the latest in a line of businesses poised to expand and offer its services to the UK Ministry of Defence and industry, as the country invests more in AI and autonomous technology to deliver the next generation of uncrewed systems.