Six Retired 500MD Helicopters Head to Kenya

Government to Contribute to UN PKO

The government will donate six retired Army 500MD helicopters this year to Kenya to contribute to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO).

Korean and American maintenance personnel are inspecting after securing and fastening a helicopter inside a container. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

On the 21st, the Ministry of National Defense announced that six 500MD helicopters began transportation from the Army Logistics Command's Aircraft Maintenance Unit under the Comprehensive Maintenance Depot in Jinhae, Gyeongnam, via Busan Port to the United States. The U.S. plans to transfer the helicopters to Kenya after completing maintenance, and Kenya will dispatch the unit operating these helicopters to the UN mission after consultation with the UN Secretariat, the Ministry of National Defense stated.

This helicopter donation follows the PKO contribution pledge announced by the government at the 'Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting' held in 2021. At that time, the Ministry of National Defense pledged to donate 16 500MD helicopters, and the U.S. promised to support the maintenance and transportation of these helicopters.

The Ministry of National Defense said, "This helicopter donation demonstrates our commitment to enhancing international peace and security ahead of our term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2024?2025," adding, "It also shows that cooperation between Korea and the U.S. has expanded globally."