South Korea has begun evaluating proposals from potential system suppliers for its controversial new multirole indigenous helicopter ahead of selecting an airframe manufacturer.

Bids were submitted at the end of last month for more than 20 major components, including avionics and engines, for the Korean Multi-role Helicopter (KMH). The selected components will be integrated by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and either AgustaWestland, Bell Helicopter or Eurocopter. These three were shortlisted last month and a final selection is set for September (Flight International, 13-19 July).

These manufacturers have also submitted proposals for several core systems. South Korea plans to select all suppliers separately, which the potential airframe manufacturers warn could result in integration problems because major items such as transmissions and rotor blades could be supplied by rival companies.

Sources say US companies have accepted they will probably not participate and believe the KMH could bring more headaches than rewards. AgustaWestland and Eurocopter are prepared to invest more than Bell, which is still competing but is a long shot unless current circumstances change.

South Korea's new defence minister is pushing to buy more from Europe to balance out a reliance on US-made equipment as the USA withdraws one-third of its forces from the country. Potential technology transfer issues also favour the Europeans, who have promised to help KAI build a new-generation helicopter using technology from existing programmes.

South Korea's National Assembly will not decide on KMH funding until later this year, so the programme is still at risk of being downsized or cancelled. The Board of Audit and Inspection issued a report late last month questioning the project's $13 billion cost estimate and its goal of exports beyond the domestic acquisition of almost 500 attack and utility helicopters.

BRENDAN SOBIE / SINGAPORE

 

Source: Flight International