This file photo, provided by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Jan. 19, 2024, shows the Light Armed Helicopter. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — The Army on Thursday received the first model of the homegrown Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) as part of its efforts to modernize the fleet of aging helicopters, the state defense procurement agency said.
A ceremony to mark the helicopter’s delivery took place at the headquarters of its manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. in Sacheon, 291 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The LAH is equipped with improved armaments, such as the Chungum air-to-surface missile that has double the range of existing anti-tank missiles and a 20 millimeter turret gun.
The aircraft also has advanced equipment to enhance its survivability, including a missile warning receiver and a radar warning receiver.
The development of the LAH began in 2015 under an eight-year project worth around 650 billion won (US$445.5 million), with the aim of replacing the Army’s aging 500MD and AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters.
In a related effort South Korea plans to build more than 160 LAH units by 2031.
The LAH is the second domestically-developed helicopter after the KUH medium-sized utility helicopter, also known as Surion.
(Yonhap)
