KAI Delivers Final Domestic Medical Evacuation Helicopter to Military

Two Critically Ill Patients Can Receive Emergency Treatment During Transport... Up to 6 Patients Can Be Transported

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Je-hoon] Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on the 9th that it has delivered the final unit of the domestically produced medical evacuation helicopter KUH-1M to the Army. With this, the Surion, which had been temporarily performing missions equipped with emergency medical equipment, has been replaced by this medical evacuation helicopter.

The medical evacuation helicopter is the first specialized helicopter in Korea equipped with professional medical equipment based on the Surion. It can provide emergency treatment to two critically ill patients during transport and can carry up to six people. Previously, KAI signed a mass production contract for the medical evacuation helicopter in 2018, and starting from January this year, began the first deliveries, completing all military deliveries with the release of the final unit on this day.

The deployment of this medical evacuation helicopter is expected not only to enhance the emergency evacuation capabilities for military personnel but also to contribute to public safety and the improvement of medical welfare through joint operation of emergency medical helicopters across government ministries for disaster rescue and search operations, according to KAI and military officials.

A KAI official stated, "The medical evacuation helicopter will play a significant role in transporting emergency patients to the optimal medical institutions in the shortest time in the metropolitan area and the northwestern island regions," adding, "We will spare no effort to support smooth helicopter operations that protect the golden hour."