On 26 June 2006, the contract between Korea Aerospace Industry (KAI) and Eurocopter came into effect, thereby launching the Korean Helicopter Program (KHP). The signing of an agreement between KAI and the DAPA (Defense Acquisition Program Administration) – the precondition for contract implementation took place on 5 June 2006.

The aim of the six-year KHP program is to develop and produce the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH). This eight metric ton aircraft will be able to transport up to 12 commandos and will replace a now aging fleet of US liaison and transport helicopters in the South Korean Army.

“Eurocopter is taking part in this program as a subcontractor and will assist KAI in three areas,” explains Jean-Jacques Salvator, the KHP Program Manager. “Initially, we will provide technical assistance to the Korean team based in France and, in Korea, through the Eurocopter engineers and technicians assigned to the country. We will also provide some of the key helicopter components: the main gearbox, the autopilot, the Development Test Vehicle (DTV), and the main rotor components as well as the documentation and the technical assistance.”

The first Koreans arrived in Marignane on 12 June 2006. Currently, there are more than 30 Korean staff who will remain in France for a year, the time required to get the program up and running. Moreover, Eurocopter technicians and engineers will be on hand in Korea for the entire duration of the program. On 18 July 2006, the first Eurocopter contingent arrived in the land of the Morning Calm, and a second group of approximately 15 people will follow in September.

“This is a very unusual program for Eurocopter. In fact, we are mainly working as consultants within the framework of a development contract. The production and  logistics support contracts will be signed at a later date,” concludes Mr. Salvator. Further to the 245 aircraft produced for Korea, the KUH will also be marketed on the export market and, in total, it is expected that 245 helicopters will be produced over 10 years by a joint KAI/Eurocopter company.