S Korea's Marine Corps Receives First Batch Of Surion Marine Utility Helicopters

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has delivered first two multirole helicopters, the Surion Marine Utility Helicopters (MUH-1), for South Korea's Marine Corps on Wednesday.

The MUH-1s, the Marine version of the KUH-1 Surion, will be used for various missions, including the defense of strategic islands, rapid response and humanitarian operations, Yonhap reports Wednesday.  

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 was quoted as saying during the delivery ceremony held at the 1st Division in Pohang.  

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.