Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) announced on June 24th that it held a ceremony at its Sacheon headquarters in Gyeongsangnam-do to celebrate the successful first flight of the domestically developed Mine Countermeasures Helicopter (MCH).
The event was attended by some 100 military and related officials, including the Navy’s Aviation Commander and the Director of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s (DAPA) Force Development Division. It marked the successful first flight of the MCH, which took place on June 16th.
During the ceremony, the development progress and achievements were shared, and a demonstration flight of the MCH prototype equipped with the Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) caught the attention of attendees.
The MCH is a domestically developed vessel based on the Marineon helicopter, which was commercialized after the contract with DAPA was signed in December 2022. It has been upgraded with various mine-sweeping equipment and advanced avionics, demonstrating its capabilities in maritime and shipborne operations.
Following its first flight, the MCH will undergo further flight tests and evaluations, aiming for full development completion by the second half of 2026. Upon completion, Korea will become the third country in the world—after the United States and Italy—to develop its own mine-hunting helicopter.
The MCH offers superior maneuverability and low-altitude flight capabilities compared to traditional minesweepers, enabling mine detection and removal in shallow waters where ships find it difficult to operate.
Equipped with cutting-edge equipment such as ALMDS, Autonomous Underwater Mine Detection System (AUV), and Unmanned Mine Neutralization System (AMNS), the MCH can operate flexibly across Korea’s diverse sea depths and environments.
Once the Navy establishes a dedicated mine countermeasures helicopter squadron and deploys the MCH operationally, it is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and independence of mine clearance operations, which have traditionally relied on minesweeping ships.
