KAI, Hanwha Systems to collaborate on special operations helicopter

KAI signed an MOU with Hanwha Systems and Israel's Elbit Systems to upgrade the UH/HH-60 of S.Korean military

Vice President of Elbit Systems Alon Canyon (from left), KAI Chief Executive Kang Goo-young, and Hanwha Systems CEO Son Jae-il (Courtesy of Yonhap)
Vice President of Elbit Systems Alon Canyon (from left), KAI Chief Executive Kang Goo-young, and Hanwha Systems CEO Son Jae-il (Courtesy of Yonhap)
Hyung-Kyu Kim 1
Oct 04, 2024 (Gmt+09:00) khk@hankyung.com
Aerospace & Defense

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), South Korea’s sole military aircraft manufacturer, said on Thursday it signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Systems Co. and Israel’s Elbit Systems to upgrade UH/HH-60 special operations helicopters for the South Korean Army and Air Force.

The agreement, announced at the Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition (KADEX 2024) in Gyeryongdae, South Chungcheong Province, aims to enhance the helicopters' operational capabilities by digitizing avionics and integrating various systems into the airframe, KAI said.

KAI will lead the development and integration of the aircraft systems, while Hanwha Systems and Elbit Systems will handle prototype modifications and avionics development and integration.

This deal builds on KAI's existing partnership with Hanwha Systems, established at the Farnborough Airshow in July, and now extends to include Elbit Systems.

KAI plans to leverage its experience developing indigenous helicopters, such as the Surion and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH), to enhance the UH/HH-60.

KAI added that the companies view the collaboration as a strategic step toward strengthening future cooperation.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com
#KAI #Hanwha Systems #Elbit Systems #KADEX 2024 #UH/HH-60 upgrade #LAH #Surion

KAI selected as PBL provider for Philippine FA-50

KAI selected as PBL provider for Philippine FA-50

KAI Chief Executive Kang Goo-young (Courtesy of Yonhap) Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI), the country's sole military aircraft manufacturer, said on Friday that it was selected as the performance-based logistics (PBL) provider for the FA-50PH fighter jets operated by the Philippine Air For

Hanwha Systems, Airbus to jointly develop space solar cells

Hanwha Systems, Airbus to jointly develop space solar cells

Flexell Space, South Korea's Hanwha Systems Co.'s in-house venture, said on Thursday that it signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Germany's Airbus Defence and Space to develop next-generation space solar cell modules.Flexell Space and Airbus Defence and Space plan to develop space solar cell m

KAI, TAI ink deal to boost T-50TH support

KAI, TAI ink deal to boost T-50TH support

Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thai Aviation Industries (TAI), Thailand's state-owned aircraft support company, on August 16 to collaborate on the follow-up support needed for the operation of the T-50TH, a supersonic advanced trainer and

Hanwha Systems to launch small SAR satellite by year-end

Hanwha Systems to launch small SAR satellite by year-end

South Korea's Hanwha Systems Co. announced on Wednesday that it plans to launch its own small synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite by the end of the year.The launch is a significant development for South Korea's burgeoning space industry and comes as the government ramps up support for the