RoK Army upgrades its helicopter attack fleet
The Dae Han Min Guk Yuk Gun (RoKA, Republic of Korea Army) finally has the opportunity to start replacing its fleet of MD500 Defenders and AH-1 Cobras.
The Defense Project Promotion Committee (DPPC) approved the production plan for the KAI Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) thus enabling the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) to sign a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd (KAI) over mass production of the helicopter. Production will start early next year with first helicopters to enter unit service expected in late 2024.
The KAI LAH is a Korean development of the Airbus EC155 Dauphin and capable of performing multiple mission roles such as light attack, close air support and troop transport missions. It was rolled out on 18 December 2018 and first flew on 4 July 2019. It is equipped with a chin mounted 20mm Gatling-type rotary cannon and can carry four Air-to-Ground missiles or two rocket launchers.
To further bolster the helicopter attack fleet, the DPPC also approved the plan to upgrade the Army’s 36 strong fleet of AH-64E Apache Guardians. The acquisition of tactical data links and fire control radar systems will strongly enhance the fleet’s combat capabilities.
Next to this upgrade programme, which was approved in September 2022, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) expressed their wish to buy more Apache Guardians, but no progress has been made. Scramble Magazine already reported back in March 2021 on the wish to buy additional AH-64Es.
Photo via Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd