Huneed secures MRO offset deal on Surion, LAH helicopters

South Korean firm Huneed Technologies has become the sole authorised provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for the flight-control computers (FCCs) onboard the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter and Light Armed Helicopter (LAH) platforms built by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).

Huneed Technologies told Janes on 15 July that its provision of MRO services is framed through unpublicised offset agreements signed earlier this year between the company, Airbus Helicopters and the government’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

South Korean company Huneed Technologies is positioned to provide avionics support for the Surion utility helicopter (pictured) and Light Armed Helicopter, both produced by Korea Aerospace Industries. (Korea Aerospace Industries)

Huneed Technologies also indicated that the agreement reflects DAPA’s defence offset priorities to support the local provision of MRO and related capabilities.

“This marks a major achievement as Huneed becomes the first domestic subject matter expert to carry out avionics MRO services for the Korean military,” Huneed Technologies said.

It added that its agreement with Airbus “represents a 30-year contract” to support KAI’s Surion and LAH platforms “with the necessary MRO technology transfers, training and set-up to be completed within the next 12 months”. The South Korean company, which is based in Incheon, said it is producing FCCs for Surion helicopters at its newly established avionics manufacturing centre.