Korea Aerospace Industries (047810) said on the 2nd that it has signed a contract with the Korea Coast Guard to deliver one Heunsuri medium-sized search-and-rescue helicopter.
The Heunsuri is a modified version of the domestically developed Surion helicopter, adapted for Coast Guard missions such as responding to maritime terrorism, cracking down on maritime crime and conducting search-and-rescue operations. It is deployed for rescuing crew members in fishing accidents at sea and airlifting emergency patients from remote islands.
The Coast Guard decided to acquire the aircraft to strengthen rapid maritime patrol and search-and-rescue capabilities and to replace its aging Russian-built KA-32 helicopters. Including this contract, KAI has won orders for a cumulative 11 Heunsuri helicopters from the Coast Guard. Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2029.
According to KAI, the Heunsuri is equipped with an advanced AESA search radar capable of detecting 1,000 targets simultaneously, along with an electro-optical infrared camera, an automatic flight control system, de-icing and anti-icing equipment for winter missions, a rescue hoist and a searchlight, allowing it to operate in severe weather and all-weather conditions.
"We are manufacturing and delivering helicopters of flawless quality so that the Coast Guard's helicopter crews can carry out their missions more safely and perfectly," a KAI official said. "We will also step up follow-up support for stable operations."
