South Korean Attack Helicopter 'Mirion' Grounded Over Engine Defects

South Korea's domestically developed next-generation attack helicopter, the LAH-1 "Mirion," faces a significant setback as widespread engine defects have forced a halt to its flight operations. The discovery raises concerns about the reliability of the new military hardware.

Investigations revealed that out of 57 engines supplied for the Mirion helicopter, a staggering 47 exhibited signs of corrosion. Furthermore, 38 of these engines were found to have cracks. These defects were identified in the 15 helicopters that had already been delivered and deployed to the Army Aviation School. Consequently, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) ordered a complete suspension of flights for all affected aircraft in April to ensure safety.

The problem appears to originate from the "diffuser" component, which is crucial for maintaining internal airflow. There are suspicions that the engines, assembled in South Korea by Hanwha Aerospace using French Safran engines, may have been improperly manufactured. Reports suggest that certain parts requiring heat treatment were instead forced into place using rubber mallets, potentially leading to the defects.

The Mirion helicopter is intended to replace aging 500MD and Cobra (AH-1S) attack helicopters and is designed to carry indigenous anti-tank missiles like the "Cheongeom." The military plans to deploy approximately 160 units by 2031. DAPA has stated it is working closely with relevant agencies and the manufacturer to expedite repairs and corrective actions, aiming to minimize the impact on the deployment timeline. The agency also pledged to thoroughly review and improve its quality control systems to prevent similar issues in the future.

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We plan to minimize the impact on the deployment schedule by promptly pursuing defect repair and follow-up measures in close cooperation with related agencies and companies.