South Korean Army Receives First Two Light Armed Helicopters

The Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has received its first two Light Armed Helicopters (LAH), named 'Miron,' developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

KAI held a delivery ceremony at its Sacheon headquarters on 26 December, marking the formal handover of the domestically developed five-tonne class helicopters. Miron is based on the Airbus H155 platform and is intended to replace the aging MD 500 and AH-1S Cobra helicopters currently in RoKA service.

The first units will be used for pilot and maintenance training at aviation schools, with additional helicopters deployed to aviation battalions in a phased manner.

The LAH program began in 2015, with system development concluding in 2022. Production commenced in November 2022, leading to the first delivery within three years. The RoKA contracted KAI to deliver 10 initial Miron units under a KRW302 billion ($205 million) deal signed in December 2022. Full operational capability is expected by 2031.

The Miron helicopter features Cheongeom air-to-ground missile, a machine gun, and 2.75-inch rockets. It also incorporates a 4-axis automatic flight control system for enhanced maneuverability and precision. A joint tactical data link system enables real-time battlefield communication, making it the only helicopter in its class with this capability.

KAI has announced plans to leverage the LAH platform for derivative models, including helicopters for special operations and command roles, and to pursue export opportunities.