First Surion Maintenance Course Launched in Army International Program... Training Iraqi Maintenance Personnel

The Army has shared its maintenance and operational know-how for the Surion helicopter with Iraqi maintenance personnel.

On September 24, the Army announced that it had launched its first Surion maintenance training course as part of the Army International Course (K-AIC). This training was initiated as Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) began educating aviation and maintenance officials from Iraq's Ministry of Interior on Surion maintenance and operation know-how, following the Surion export contract with Iraq.

At KAI's request, the Army is providing hands-on training for the trainees at the Army Aviation School, which is equipped with sufficient training aircraft, expert personnel, and maintenance expertise. The trainees participating in this Army International Course are 12 officials from Iraq's Ministry of Interior, all of whom are experienced professionals with an average of more than 10 years of helicopter maintenance experience.

Muammar Majid Hamid, Chief Engineer (Brigadier General), who participated in the training, said, "I am grateful to the Korean military for thoroughly preparing the training so that we could deepen our understanding of Surion maintenance," adding, "After returning home, I will do my best to ensure the successful operation of the Surion based on the maintenance know-how acquired here."

Woomuseong, Army Aviation School maintenance instructor (Warrant Officer), stated, "While teaching Surion maintenance technology to foreign maintenance personnel, I felt both a sense of responsibility and pride in the excellence of our equipment," and added, "I will do my utmost to ensure that the trainees fully appreciate the superiority of the Surion."

Meanwhile, the Army is considering expanding the Surion maintenance course conducted this time to include an operator course. In addition, the Army plans to actively support customized training for defense cooperation countries that are either planning to purchase or have the potential to purchase domestically produced weapons and equipment.