South Korea shows upgraded Surion helicopter for export, naval attack variant for local requirement

The upgraded KUH-1E Surion for the export market. Photo c/o AIN Online.

During the ongoing Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2019, South Korean aircraft manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) display their improved and upgraded Surion KUH-1E helicopter for the export market.

The upgrades include new avionics using the Garmin G5000 for improved flight handling, upgraded cabin doors, an added bulkhead to strengthen the airframe to carry stub wings for external fuel tanks and /or weapons.

The allowance for weapons capability will allow the Surion to be used as a gunship, with Hellfire and Spike LR/ER air-to-ground missiles, gunpods, and rocket launchers. 

The proposed naval attack variant for the Korean Marines.  Photo c/o Jane's Defence Weekly.

Another new variant showed in ADEX 2019 is a scale model of a ship-based naval attack helicopter being proposed for to meet requirements of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC). 

It was loosely based on the existing MUH-1 Marineon variant of the Surion family, with enlarged foldable wing stubs and six hardpoints for air-to-ground missiles, rocket launchers, and gunpods while also carrying a chin-mounted 20mm Gatling cannon and a nose-mounted FLIR sensor turret for targeting. 

The ROKMC is looking at acquiring 24 units to be operated from their current and future amphibious assault ships.


[1] Air International Online
[2] Jane’s Defence Weekly