DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The United Arab Emirates is negotiating the acquisition of South Korean helicopters, with the aim of signing a deal by 12 months’s end, in keeping with an official with the manufacturer.
The Emirati military is in search of an undisclosed variety of KUH-1E helicopters from Korea Aerospace Industries, Cho Seok Joon, a senior manager with the corporate’s rotorcraft division, told Defense News through the Dubai Airshow, which runs Nov. 13-17.
The KUH-1E is an export version of the twin-engine KUH-1 Surion. The previous can carry 18 people, including two pilots, whereas the latter can accommodate 18 total. The UAE is in search of a maritime variant.
“As an alternative of the gun present within the KUH, it is supplied with a radar,” Cho noted.
A spokesperson with the Emirati Defence Ministry told Defense News the country is currently evaluating the aircraft.
“On the ministry, we’ve got several layers of tests for all equipment. Once it’s complete, we give our verdict,” the representative said.
The Surion can perform military transport and airfreight missions, amongst other functions.
The export variant’s power comes from a pair of 1,855-shaft-horsepower GE T700-701K turboshaft engines. It may well reach a maximum speed of 147 knots (169 mph) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 19,200 kilos.
Awad Mustafa is a Middle East and Africa correspondent for Defense News.