Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter sign MOU for a Joint Venture company to commercialise the Korean Utility Helicopter


Seoul, 18 October 2007

The Korean Helicopter Program (KHP) is to develop a military utility/transport helicopter (KUH, Korean Utility Helicopter) in the eight-metric-ton class. The KUH is to replace Bell UH- 1Hs and McDonnell Douglas 500MDs in the South Korean Army fleet. And first deployment is scheduled in 2012. In late 2005, Eurocopter was chosen as the primary partner of KAI on the program. Eurocopter provides technical assistance and will also supply the KUH’s transmission system and autopilot.
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© Eurocopter


Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Eurocopter reinforce their industrial cooperation through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday 18 October at Seoul Air Show.

The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of the CEOs from both entities: Mr. CHUNG Hae Joo (KAI) and Dr. Lutz BERTLING (Eurocopter).

The objective of the above MOU is to create a Joint Venture (JV) Company for the worldwide promotion of the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH), a 8 metric ton class military/utility transport helicopter.

The JV will be in operation by 2010. With a shareholding structure of 51% for KAI and 49 % ownership for Eurocopter, the newly-established company will be responsible for the sale and marketing of the KUH on the export market, which is estimated to reach an order of 300 helicopters.

Full story
http://www.eads.net/1024/en/pressdb/...elicopter.html

South Korea's got blackhawks, but the current trend is moving towards a more self sustained source of military equipment.

I was waiting for you to chime in on this post. I agree South Korea has the industry base to build and produce a lot of products. Now if only we could get NK to aim there artillery in a different direction things would be good all over over.

Well either way I'm getting out of here one way or another so it won't matter so much.

Where is here what do you mean?

Here = Korea.

I thought you were in Austria? If your in SK did Greece sign any contracts yet for the T-50? Anything in the press there, thanks

I'm in South Korea for now. Moving on again soon.
Haven't heard of the T-50 deal.