The Saechon AF KUH-1/13 Surion is a twin-engine, transport utility helicopter developed primarily by Saechon Aircraft Factory (SAF), the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). In 2006, the research and development phase of the Korea Helicopter Project - Korea Utility Helicopter (KHP-KUH), costing around ₩1.3 trillion (equivalent to ₩1.67 trillion or $1.48 billion in 2017), was launched by the Agency for Defense Development in 2006. In 2012, full-scale production of the Surion commenced; SAF has been designated as the principal manufacturer of the type.
An initial force of around 245 Surions have been ordered by the Korean People's Army Ground Force to replace their aging fleets of FWAF UH-1/67H and LBAF LB-500 light utility helicopters, which have been in service for decades. SAF shall also construct civilian and law enforcement variants of the helicopter.
Users[]
Iraq
Korea
- Korean People's Air Force
- Korean People's Army Ground Force
- Korean People's Marine Corps
- Korean Coast Guard
- National Police Agency
- Korea Forest Service
- Jeju Fire Department
Vietnam
