South Korea conducts first flight of new MCH mine countermeasure helicopter to enhance maritime security
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South Korea has conducted the first flight of the South Korean Navy’s new mine warfare helicopter, known as the Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH), developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The flight was completed on June 16, 2025, at KAI’s facility in Sacheon, and was formally commemorated during a ceremony on June 24, which was attended by over 100 representatives from the South Korean Navy, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ), and other military and industry stakeholders. With this milestone, South Korea becomes the third country in the world, after the United States and Italy, to develop a dedicated airborne mine countermeasures helicopter.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The KAI MCH is based on the MUH-1 Marineon platform, itself derived from the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter, and is specifically designed for mine detection and neutralization in littoral and shallow-water environments. (Picture source: KAI)
The Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH) development program was launched following a contract signed in December 2022 between KAI and DAPA. The platform incorporates upgraded avionics and three mission-specific systems: the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS), the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS). These systems are designed to detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines in areas inaccessible to surface vessels, such as shallow coastal zones and confined maritime approaches. The MCH leverages the amphibious design and operational experience of the Marineon, which had previously been modified to operate from ships with folding rotors, corrosion-resistant components, flotation equipment, and navigation systems adapted for maritime conditions. The MCH is expected to complete full development by the second half of 2026 and enter operational service thereafter.
The mine countermeasures helicopter is intended to provide the South Korean Navy with improved capabilities in maritime mine warfare, supplementing or replacing existing minehunter ships. The helicopter’s mobility and low-altitude flight capabilities allow it to operate in shallow areas where conventional vessels are either limited or entirely unable to enter. The MCH is also intended to support the clearance of naval mines laid in port approaches and amphibious landing areas. The South Korean Navy plans to form a dedicated MCH battalion, which will be tasked with conducting mine detection and neutralization operations across the country’s eastern, western, and southern maritime domains. The helicopter’s systems are optimized to function in diverse seabed and water clarity conditions, supporting operations in Korea’s three surrounding seas.
The development of the MCH is part of a broader effort to increase domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign defense systems. The total estimated program cost is approximately 970 billion won, including 345 billion won allocated for development and the remainder for the production of an initial eight helicopters. While some critics have questioned the cost-effectiveness of producing only eight aircraft, the acquisition of foreign mine countermeasures helicopters such as the MH-53E Sea Dragon or MCH-101 would have required significantly higher investment, exceeding 2 trillion won for comparable fleet sizes. In addition to acquisition costs, foreign platforms carry operational limitations in the Korean maritime environment and are subject to restrictions on the transfer of strategic subsystems, including advanced mine detection equipment.
KAI developed the MCH by integrating systems sourced and manufactured in South Korea, supported by domestic defense firms. The ALMDS is used to detect floating or shallow-buried mines by emitting laser pulses through water, while the AUV conducts subsurface reconnaissance over wide areas after deployment. The AMNS, deployable via crane-mounted pylons, is responsible for mine identification and destruction using guided charges. In addition, the MCH can be fitted with side-mounted machine guns to attack surface-drifting mines directly. The helicopter also incorporates enhancements in engine performance, including optional external fuel tanks to increase endurance, and anti-jamming data links that improve coordination and survivability during mine clearance missions. Although smaller than Western platforms, the MCH is intended to offer a balance between affordability, platform compatibility, and technological independence.
The MCH’s development follows a broader trajectory of Surion-family helicopter variants, including the Marineon for amphibious transport, the KUH-1M for medevac roles, the KUH-1P for police missions, and the MAH for armed operations. The MAH, based on the Marineon platform, conducted its first flight in December 2024 and is intended to provide fire support during Marine Corps operations. These Surion derivatives share design elements such as the T700-701K turboshaft engine produced under license by Hanwha Techwin, the Garmin G5000H avionics suite, and survivability features including crashworthy structures, ballistic protection, and electronic countermeasures. The KUH-1 line is designed for modularity and has been exported to countries including Iraq, where KAI signed a contract in December 2024 to supply two helicopters by 2029. KAI has also pursued cooperative agreements in Southeast Asia, including with Vietnam’s Viettel Aerospace Institute.
Historically, South Korea has maintained an interest in mine warfare due to the use of more than 30,000 naval mines during the Korean War, which significantly hindered amphibious operations. Since then, the country has developed and operated multiple classes of mine countermeasure ships, although these vessels are expensive, slow, and require specialized construction materials such as fiberglass or wood to reduce magnetic signatures. The MCH provides an alternative approach that avoids direct exposure to mine explosions, requires fewer personnel, and offers more flexible deployment options. In light of recent regional developments, including statements by Iran regarding potential closures of the Strait of Hormuz, countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia are evaluating airborne mine countermeasures platforms. KAI anticipates that the MCH may be considered for export in those regions as a solution to emerging mine warfare requirements.
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South Korea has conducted the first flight of the South Korean Navy’s new mine warfare helicopter, known as the Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH), developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The flight was completed on June 16, 2025, at KAI’s facility in Sacheon, and was formally commemorated during a ceremony on June 24, which was attended by over 100 representatives from the South Korean Navy, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the Defense Agency for Technology and Quality (DTaQ), and other military and industry stakeholders. With this milestone, South Korea becomes the third country in the world, after the United States and Italy, to develop a dedicated airborne mine countermeasures helicopter.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The KAI MCH is based on the MUH-1 Marineon platform, itself derived from the KUH-1 Surion utility helicopter, and is specifically designed for mine detection and neutralization in littoral and shallow-water environments. (Picture source: KAI)
The Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH) development program was launched following a contract signed in December 2022 between KAI and DAPA. The platform incorporates upgraded avionics and three mission-specific systems: the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS), the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), and the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS). These systems are designed to detect, identify, and neutralize naval mines in areas inaccessible to surface vessels, such as shallow coastal zones and confined maritime approaches. The MCH leverages the amphibious design and operational experience of the Marineon, which had previously been modified to operate from ships with folding rotors, corrosion-resistant components, flotation equipment, and navigation systems adapted for maritime conditions. The MCH is expected to complete full development by the second half of 2026 and enter operational service thereafter.
The mine countermeasures helicopter is intended to provide the South Korean Navy with improved capabilities in maritime mine warfare, supplementing or replacing existing minehunter ships. The helicopter’s mobility and low-altitude flight capabilities allow it to operate in shallow areas where conventional vessels are either limited or entirely unable to enter. The MCH is also intended to support the clearance of naval mines laid in port approaches and amphibious landing areas. The South Korean Navy plans to form a dedicated MCH battalion, which will be tasked with conducting mine detection and neutralization operations across the country’s eastern, western, and southern maritime domains. The helicopter’s systems are optimized to function in diverse seabed and water clarity conditions, supporting operations in Korea’s three surrounding seas.
The development of the MCH is part of a broader effort to increase domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign defense systems. The total estimated program cost is approximately 970 billion won, including 345 billion won allocated for development and the remainder for the production of an initial eight helicopters. While some critics have questioned the cost-effectiveness of producing only eight aircraft, the acquisition of foreign mine countermeasures helicopters such as the MH-53E Sea Dragon or MCH-101 would have required significantly higher investment, exceeding 2 trillion won for comparable fleet sizes. In addition to acquisition costs, foreign platforms carry operational limitations in the Korean maritime environment and are subject to restrictions on the transfer of strategic subsystems, including advanced mine detection equipment.
KAI developed the MCH by integrating systems sourced and manufactured in South Korea, supported by domestic defense firms. The ALMDS is used to detect floating or shallow-buried mines by emitting laser pulses through water, while the AUV conducts subsurface reconnaissance over wide areas after deployment. The AMNS, deployable via crane-mounted pylons, is responsible for mine identification and destruction using guided charges. In addition, the MCH can be fitted with side-mounted machine guns to attack surface-drifting mines directly. The helicopter also incorporates enhancements in engine performance, including optional external fuel tanks to increase endurance, and anti-jamming data links that improve coordination and survivability during mine clearance missions. Although smaller than Western platforms, the MCH is intended to offer a balance between affordability, platform compatibility, and technological independence.
The MCH’s development follows a broader trajectory of Surion-family helicopter variants, including the Marineon for amphibious transport, the KUH-1M for medevac roles, the KUH-1P for police missions, and the MAH for armed operations. The MAH, based on the Marineon platform, conducted its first flight in December 2024 and is intended to provide fire support during Marine Corps operations. These Surion derivatives share design elements such as the T700-701K turboshaft engine produced under license by Hanwha Techwin, the Garmin G5000H avionics suite, and survivability features including crashworthy structures, ballistic protection, and electronic countermeasures. The KUH-1 line is designed for modularity and has been exported to countries including Iraq, where KAI signed a contract in December 2024 to supply two helicopters by 2029. KAI has also pursued cooperative agreements in Southeast Asia, including with Vietnam’s Viettel Aerospace Institute.
Historically, South Korea has maintained an interest in mine warfare due to the use of more than 30,000 naval mines during the Korean War, which significantly hindered amphibious operations. Since then, the country has developed and operated multiple classes of mine countermeasure ships, although these vessels are expensive, slow, and require specialized construction materials such as fiberglass or wood to reduce magnetic signatures. The MCH provides an alternative approach that avoids direct exposure to mine explosions, requires fewer personnel, and offers more flexible deployment options. In light of recent regional developments, including statements by Iran regarding potential closures of the Strait of Hormuz, countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia are evaluating airborne mine countermeasures platforms. KAI anticipates that the MCH may be considered for export in those regions as a solution to emerging mine warfare requirements.
