South Korean Marine Corps' MUH-1 multirole helicopters in
a photo provided by the unit (Yonhap)
2018/01/10 08:51
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's Marine Corps
received the first two multirole helicopters from the country's arms agency
Wednesday, moving a step toward its aim of creating an independent aviation
unit.
The MUH-1s, the Marine version of the KUH-1 Surion
developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), represent the first major
aircraft possessed by the 28,800-strong troops since they were integrated into
the Navy in 1973.
The Marine Corps has since relied on the assets of the
Navy, the Army and the Air Force to transport its service members and
equipment.
The MUH-1 has been nicknamed Marineon, a combination of
the words Marine and Surion.
They will be used for various missions, including the
defense of strategic islands, rapid response and humanitarian operations, said
the unit.
It has already trained 40 pilots and 40 maintenance staff
members amid efforts to introduce attack choppers and launch a Marine Corps
aviation team in 2021.
"We have gained a new pair of wings again after 45
years amid the people's trust and expectations," Marine Corps Commandant
Lt. Gen. Jun Jin-goo said at the delivery ceremony held at the 1st Division in
Pohang, attended by more than 100 other dignitaries.
He added it will help the Marine Corps beef up its
operation capabilities, not only on the ground but also in the air.
The 19-meter-long, 3.5-meter-wide MUH-1 can carry up to
nine troops, flying for more than three hours with a supplementary fuel tank
installed.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
Original post: yonhapnews.co.kr
KAI Surion: Details
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