[2025 MADEX] KAI Unveils Helicopters for Maritime Operations

Showcasing Amphibious Attack Helicopter (MAH) and Mine Countermeasure Helicopter (MCH)
MAH Dubbed the "Ultimate Domestic Military Helicopter"

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is promoting its amphibious attack helicopter (MAH) and mine countermeasure helicopter (MCH). At the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX), which opened on the 28th, KAI plans to showcase helicopter technologies essential for maritime operations.

Yonhap News

KAI elevated South Korea to the status of the world's 11th helicopter-producing nation with the development of the Surion, an army utility helicopter. Since then, more than 10 military and civil variants have been developed for firefighting, forestry, police, and coast guard applications, making significant contributions to daily life.

A derivative of the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH-1) Surion successfully completed its maiden flight in January. It passed tests confirming flight stability and control performance, including takeoff, hovering, forward and backward movement, lateral movement, S-shaped maneuvers, and maximum horizontal flight. As the first domestically produced helicopter likely to be equipped with air-to-air missiles, it has been dubbed the "ultimate domestic military helicopter."

The electronic systems have also evolved. By equipping the existing amphibious utility helicopter (MUH) Marion with avionics and armaments from attack helicopters, its offensive capabilities have been enhanced. It is equipped with an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) targeting system and a Target Acquisition Designation Sight (TADS) capable of simultaneously detecting multiple targets, enabling effective defense against drone attacks. Armaments have also been reinforced. It can be fitted with a 7-tube 70mm unguided rocket launcher and up to eight Hanwha Aerospace Cheongeom air-to-ground guided missiles (two clusters of four missiles each). The French MBDA Mistral-III air-to-air guided missile is also likely to be integrated for the first time on a domestic helicopter.

The MAH inherits the attack capabilities of the Boeing AH-64 Apache, a ground support attack helicopter, and combines the corrosion-resistant design and emergency water landing capabilities of the AW159 Wildcat, a multi-role maritime helicopter, making it suitable for anti-surface warfare. When deployed in next year's Marine Corps amphibious operations, it will provide fire support for ground units and escort missions for the Marine Corps amphibious helicopter Marion. This is expected to significantly enhance the Korean Marine Corps' air power and amphibious operational capabilities.

KAI is developing a mine countermeasure helicopter that quickly detects and removes enemy mines installed underwater, pioneering a maneuvering environment for naval combat ships.

Its export competitiveness is also high. The unit price for the AW159 Wildcat is estimated at approximately 53.4 billion KRW, and the AH-64 Apache at about 73.3 billion KRW, whereas the amphibious utility helicopter is expected to be priced 20 to 50 percent lower. KAI plans to target defense "niche markets" in Southeast Asia and South America, linking this with the Korean Navy's ongoing mine countermeasure helicopter (MCH) development project.

KAI is also developing a mine countermeasure helicopter that quickly detects and removes enemy mines installed underwater, pioneering a maneuvering environment for naval combat ships. It will be equipped with advanced systems such as the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS), and is expected to become a core aviation asset for the Navy.

Looking ahead, KAI plans to invest 102.5 billion KRW in the development of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), a core technology for next-generation aerial combat systems, and is reviewing strategies for its implementation. Once MUM-T is operationalized, manned and unmanned aircraft will be able to conduct missions together as a combined team. KAI is securing and advancing foundational technologies for manned-unmanned teaming not only in fixed-wing but also in rotary-wing aircraft.

By controlling and commanding unmanned aerial vehicles from rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned systems can take over dangerous missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and attack, which were previously performed directly by manned helicopters. Manned-unmanned teaming enhances pilot survivability and increases offensive capabilities, making it a key element of future warfare.

KAI is continuing the evolution of K-helicopters by expanding research and investment in future technologies that can dramatically improve the operational efficiency of our military and the survivability of manned aircraft.