KAI wins deal to develop attack helicopters for Marines

▲ This undated file photo shows the MUH-1 Marineon helicopter. (Yonhap)

KAI-attack helicopter

KAI wins deal to develop attack helicopters for Marines

SEOUL, Oct. 27 (Yonhap) -- Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) said Thursday it has won a contract to develop and supply homegrown amphibious attack helicopters for the Marine Corps.

South Korea's sole aircraft maker unveiled the 438.4 billion-won (US$308.2 million) deal with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in a regulatory filing. The contract will be executed within 46 months.

"The project involves the development of a homegrown amphibious attack helicopter capable of covering the Marine Corps' amphibious maneuver helicopters and air assault units, and providing air fire support for ground combat units during deep maneuver operations," KAI said.

In April 2021, DAPA decided to develop a homegrown attack helicopter based on the MUH-1 amphibious utility chopper, better known as Marineon, which was developed by KAI.

At that time it was said the Marine Corps wanted foreign helicopters, such as the AH-64 Apache or AH-1Z Viper of Bell Textron.

But the authorities opted for a homegrown model, considering the interoperability with the Marineon and other factors, officials said.

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