South Korea conducts first flight of Mine Countermeasures Helicopter

Korea Aerospace Industries aims to complete development of its new Mine Countermeasures Helicopter in the second half of 2026. (DAPA)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has conducted the maiden flight of its Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH), a platform being developed to enhance mine detection and clearance efforts in the waters around the country.

The prototype's first flight was conducted on 16 June, KAI said on 24 June, adding that the helicopter also conducted a demonstration flight while equipped with an Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). The ALMDS is designed to detect floating and shallow-water mines.

In addition to the ALMDS, the MCH, which is a derivative of the KAI KUH-1 Surion helicopter, is designed to also operate two other types of minesweeping mission equipment. This includes an airborne mine neutralisation system (AMNS) and a minehunting autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), according to KAI.

The MCH can “perform the mission of removing sea mines to ensure the ability of our forces to conduct maritime operations, similar to the minesweeping ships currently operated by the Republic of Korea Navy [RoKN]”, the country's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on 24 June.

However, according to KAI, the MCH's manoeuvrability makes it a more agile platform than minesweeping ships with the added benefit that the helicopter can also disarm or clear mines in shallow waters that are inaccessible to naval vessels. “When the RoKN establishes a minesweeping helicopter battalion in the future and the MCH is put into full-scale operation, the navy's mine threat-response capabilities and independent operational capabilities … will be significantly improved,” the company said.