Iraq to be first KAI Surion export customer
Iraq is to become the first export customer for the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter. Tony Osborne at Aviation Week reported that the South Korean news agency Yonhap had reported on 23 December, 2024, that KAI had been awarded a $93.7 million contract to provide an undisclosed number of the helicopters by March 2029.
Later on 23 December Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) itself announced that it had signed a US $94 million (136 billion-won) deal to export two KUH-1 Surion twin-engine, transport/utility helicopters to Iraq, for use by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior for specialised fire-fighting missions. Under the terms of the agreement, KAI will supply a comprehensive logistics package, pilot and maintenance training, and will perform the required customization for the fire-fighting role.
KAI also disclosed on 23 December that it had sold two additional parapublic Surions, one to South Korea’s forestry service and one to the coast guard.
The Iraqi contract marks the first export of the KUH-1 Surion and also demonstrates a continuing defence partnership between South Korea and Iraq. In 2017, KAI delivered the first of 24 T-50IQ (FA-50) supersonic advanced jet trainers and light attack aircraft under a US $1.1 billion contract signed in 2013.
The latest contract follows a four day visit to South Korea by Lieutenant General Samir Zaki Hussein al-Maliki, Commander of Iraq’s Army Aviation Command, earlier this year. The general reportedly personally tested the Surion, leading some to expect a follow-on order for the Iraqi Army.
