Company Prepares To Bid On South Korean Defense Programs

Eurocopter has expressed its intent to participate in two Request for Proposals it expects to be issued by South Korea's defense forces in 2012, proposing the Panther platform (pictured) for the country's Light Attack Helicopter program, and the Tiger as a Heavy Attack Helicopter.

Eurocopter President & CEO Lutz Bertling explains, “These programs represent a key part of our long-term strategy in South Korea. For the LAH program, we will once again support Korea Aerospace Industries in the competition, ensuring the continued development of the country’s aerospace industry and defense capability.

“As for the AH-X program, the Tiger's modern state-of-the-art technology is undisputed, and it has certainly proven its operational capability and reliability in Afghanistan and Lybia, making it the best helicopter to meet the RoK’s requirements.”

Eurocopter's Panther is the military variant of the Dauphin. The light attack helicopter program calls for an aircraft in the 4.5 metric ton class with a seating capacity of 6-to-8.

The company says its Tiger is the ideal aircraft for the heavy attack helicopter. With a total of 75 helicopters delivered so far as of the end of August, the Tiger fleet has clocked around 30,000 flight hours.

FMI: www.eurocopter.com