State arms agency completes development of homegrown Marine attack helicopter

Korea has successfully completed the development of a homegrown Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) equipped with a variety of weaponry, including air-to-ground missiles, for diverse amphibious operations, announced the state arms procurement agency on Wednesday. The new attack helicopters are based on the Marine variant of the KUH-1 Surion helicopter, known as the MUH-1 Marineon, with enhanced features and advanced weaponry to neutralize threats posed by opposing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, as reported by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

The DAPA initiated a 450 billion-won ($337 million) project to create the indigenous MAH back in 2022, subsequently executing multiple test flights and weapon tests, including live-fire exercises involving turret-mounted machine guns, air-to-ground missiles, and both guided and unguided rockets. The MAH received a full combat suitability evaluation in July and obtained airworthiness certification in August, ensuring its readiness for secure flight operations.

Upon deployment, the MAH is anticipated to significantly enhance the Korean Marines' amphibious capabilities, both on the ground and in the air.