Seoul invests USD 1 billion to purchase additional LAH helicopters to replace its MD-500 and AH-1S fleets

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a second mass production contract for the Light Armored Helicopter (LAH), worth more than US$1 billion.

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The LAH (and its civilian version, the LCH) was developed with assistance from Airbus Helicopters from the H155 and was designed to perform attack, armed escort, anti-armor and reconnaissance missions. The LAH will be the replacement for the Korean Army’s older 500MD and AH-1S helicopters.

The first production contract for 10 LAH helicopters was signed in December 2022, for KRW 302 billion (about USD 235 million), and included the integrated logistics support elements and initial training for pilots and maintenance team. The first unit will be delivered in December 2024.

While the amount of the deal for this second production contract is much larger, the number of units to be produced was not reported, but it should be much closer to the 200+ LAH helicopters that the Korean Army is requiring.

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This contract includes elements of integrated systems support, technical manuals and follow-on technical support. The contract period is approximately 60 months, and this second batch of aircraft is scheduled to be delivered sequentially starting in the fourth quarter of 2025.

General characteristics

The LAH has low noise and vibration levels, thanks to the modern configuration of its five-blade main rotor (Spheriflex type) and its Fenestron type tail rotor. Another modern feature is that it has computer-assisted flight on all four axes.

It is powered by two HAS-Arriel 2L2 engines, jointly developed by Safran Helicopter Engines and Hanwha Aerospace, which will manufacture the units under license and will also be responsible for the MRO. The 2L2 was developed from the Arriel 2N and is the most powerful variant of the Arriel family,with a takeoff power of 1024 shp. According to SAFRAN, the Arriel 2L2 engine will offer increased reliability, power and performance during the most demanding missions.

The LAH features a glass cockpit and state-of-the-art avionics, designed to provide the highest situational awareness capability to its crew and optimize the human-machine interface (HMI).

The helicopter is equipped with modern optronic sensors, an integrated target acquisition/designation system and state-of-the-art self-protection equipment. In terms of armament, it features a 20mm tri-tube cannon (aimed through the sight on the helmet), 70mm rockets, Cheongeom domestic anti-tank missiles, and will even be able to carry and launch its own drones and loitering munitions.

KAI plans to develop new specialized variants of the LAH, both for the Korean market and for export, such as special operations attack and command and control helicopters.