Airbus Helicopters and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed an agreement to initiate the serial production phase of the Light Armed Helicopters (LAH).
This follows the contract awarded to KAI in December 2022 to supply an initial batch of ten LAH to the Republic of Korea Army. Deliveries will begin at the end of 2024, with follow-on orders to continue into the next decade.
Airbus will support KAI’s order fulfilment with delivery of the required kits for the mass production of the LAH at their Sacheon facility in South Korea.
“KAI is a long-time trusted partner with whom we have successfully developed several helicopter programmes," said Matthieu Louvot, Executive Vice President, Programmes of Airbus Helicopters.
"We are happy to strengthen this strategic partnership with these agreements, where we will secure the delivery of these two highly performing platforms for many years to come.”
The two companies have also signed an agreement to extend their partnership in the joint Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH Surion) program, following the recent launch of the joint development of new KUH variants, such as the Marine Attack Helicopter and Mine Countermeasure Helicopter, and their corresponding future versions.
“These two long-term agreements will contribute to increasing competitiveness of KUH Surion and LAH in both local and global markets, by stabilising kit deliveries and prices, while strengthening partnership in various rotorcraft businesses,” said Han Chang Heon, Executive Vice President, Rotorcraft Division of KAI.