Domestic Helicopter 'Surion' Integrated Management Promotion... Advancing into Export Markets

Launch of Joint Consultative Body for Integrated Operation and Development
Unified Helicopter Procurement and Additional Cooperation on Technology Development
Preparing for Overseas Markets as a Key Export Item

The government is launching integrated management for 'Surion,' the first domestically produced helicopter. The previously fragmented purchasing methods conducted by each ministry will be unified, and discussions for entering the export market will also be promoted.

According to government ministries, on the morning of the 19th, the National Fire Agency held a kickoff meeting for a joint consultative body for the development of Surion at the Seoul Defense Convention, together with seven ministries including the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea Aerospace Administration, National Police Agency, Korea Forest Service, and Korea Coast Guard.

At this meeting, the ministries involved in the development of Surion and those currently operating Surion helicopters discussed integrated purchasing plans and efficient operation methods for the helicopters.

First, the military and various ministries agreed to integrate the previously fragmented helicopter purchasing methods to improve operational efficiency. They also plan to secure technological capabilities and competitiveness to prepare Surion helicopters as a key export item in the export market.

The National Fire Agency, National Police Agency, Korea Forest Service, and Korea Coast Guard, which directly operate helicopters, will cooperate with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the military, which operate more than 200 Surion helicopters, through active exchanges to secure economical helicopters and collaborate on operation and maintenance. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Korea Aerospace Administration will focus on performance improvements such as technology development to maintain Surion's competitiveness.

The pan-government joint consultative body plans to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between institutions and secure continuous communication channels through regular working-level meetings to closely cooperate. Yoon Sang-gi, Director of Equipment Technology Bureau at the National Fire Agency, stated, "Surion helicopters play a key role not only in the safety of our citizens but also in national security and maintaining public order," adding, "Going forward, through active cooperation between institutions, we will support efficient purchasing and operation, as well as actively promote Surion's excellence through events such as the International Fire Safety Expo to vigorously support the export of domestically produced fire helicopters."

Meanwhile, South Korea succeeded in developing the Surion helicopter in 2012, becoming the 11th country in the world to develop a helicopter. Since then, it has been operated as a multipurpose mobility helicopter for military troop transport and cargo transport. Currently, it has evolved into the Marineon amphibious assault helicopter and the Medion medical evacuation helicopter. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, more than 300 Surion helicopters are expected to be in operation around 2030.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.