Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is reportedly pursuing a technology transfer of its multi-purpose helicopter, Surion, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in collaboration with the UAE’s state-owned defense company, EDGE Group, according to a report by the Middle Eastern economic research agency Tactical Report on March 5.
Surion is the first domestically developed helicopter, jointly created by KAI and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) under the supervision of the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration.
The project began in 2006 with an investment of approximately $970 million and entered service in 2012. Currently, around 300 units are operational across various roles, including military, police, coast guard, firefighting, and forestry. The helicopter measures 19 meters in length and 5 meters in height, powered by a 1,800-horsepower GE T700-701K engine, with a maximum speed reaching 145 knots.
Notably, Surion boasts high surplus power, enabling it to operate effectively in desert and high-altitude environments, making it an attractive option for UAE and other Middle Eastern nations. KAI has signed a contract worth about $110 million with the Iraqi government for Surion exports, with the contract period running from March 31, 2023, to March 31, 2029.
Industry experts suggest that the UAE is likely to become the second export country for Surion. KAI unveiled the export version of Surion for the first time at the Dubai Airshow in November last year and showcased a model equipped with a special filter to block desert sand during high-temperature testing in the region.
EDGE Group, KAI’s partner in the UAE, is the largest defense and aerospace company in the Middle East, comprised of over 20 state-owned and private enterprises. This collaboration is interpreted as part of KAI’s localization strategy. KAI is currently preparing to establish a local office in the UAE and is actively engaging in targeted marketing efforts.
KAI has set its complete aircraft export target for this year at approximately 230 million, reflecting a 145440 million. The impact of KAI’s achievements on the global defense market is drawing significant attention.
