SEOUL --- The state arms procurement agency said Friday it plans to deliver the first model of the newly developed Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) to the Army this year as part of efforts to replace the Army's aging helicopters.
The LAH model is currently in the final stages of assembly and is expected to be deployed to the Army this year after undergoing inspections, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
In December 2022, DAPA signed a 302 billion-won (US$225.6 million) contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. (KAI) to build 10 LAHs, with delivery aimed for December this year.
DAPA signed another deal with KAI last month worth 1.4 trillion won for an undisclosed number of additional LAHs.
South Korea first began developing the LAH in 2015 under an eight-year project worth 653.9 billion won, with the aim of replacing the Army's aging 500MD and AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters.
The LAH is set to be equipped with various armaments, including the Taipers air-to-ground missile, which has double the range of existing anti-tank missiles, 2.75-inch rockets and a 20 millimeter turret gun, according to DAPA.
It also has a target acquisition designation system to detect targets in front of the chopper, an integrated digital map computer to reduce pilot work load and other equipment designed to defend the chopper from various anti-air threats, DAPA said.
The homegrown Taipers missile is expected to be deployed from 2026 after undergoing mass production starting this year. South Korea completed development of the missile in 2022 under an eight-year project aimed at reducing its reliance on imported air-to-ground missiles.
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