Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided information, aiming for thestandards of a professional news outlet:
Headline: South Korea Secures FirstExport Deal for Surion Helicopter with Iraq
Seoul, South Korea – South Korea’s aerospace firm, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), hasannounced a landmark agreement to export its domestically produced Surion utility helicopter to Iraq. The deal, valued at 135.8 billion Korean won (approximately690 million Chinese yuan or $104 million USD), marks the first international sale of the Surion, a significant milestone for South Korea’s defense industry.
The contract, officially signed on December 23rd, was disclosed in a KAI statement. It represents 3.6% of KAI’s total sales revenue from the previous year, underscoring the deal’s financial importance to the company. The agreement is set to takeeffect on March 31st of next year and will span four years, encompassing the sale and delivery of the Surion helicopters.
The Surion, which translates to Eagle Owl, has been in operational service with the South Korean military for 11 years, during which time it has undergone significant upgrades andmodifications. Originally designed as a utility helicopter, the Surion has evolved into a versatile platform with over ten variants, capable of performing a wide array of missions. These include troop transport, medical evacuation, maritime patrol, firefighting, and forestry operations.
KAI has also revealed plans to further expand the Surion’scapabilities. By 2026, the company aims to develop specialized variants capable of conducting attack missions and mine detection operations, further solidifying the helicopter’s role in both domestic and international markets.
This export agreement with Iraq is not only a major win for KAI but also a testament to South Korea’s growing capabilities in the defense sector. The Surion’s success in its domestic operations, combined with its adaptability, has clearly resonated with international buyers. The deal also highlights the increasing competitiveness of the South Korean defense industry in the global market.
The sale of the Surion to Iraq is expected to strengthen the defenseties between the two nations, while also providing Iraq with a modern and versatile helicopter platform to meet its operational needs.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2023, December 23). 韩产机动直升机“鹫百”将销往伊拉克[South Korean-made Surion helicopter to be sold to Iraq]. Retrieved from [Insert the actual URL of the Yonhap article if available]
Note: Since the provided information is a direct translation of a news article, I have treated the Yonhap article as the primary source. If more information becomes availablefrom KAI or other sources, those should be included as well. The currency conversion is based on approximate current rates and may fluctuate.
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