A LAH-1 Miron chopper / Courtesy of Defense Acquisition Program Administration
South Korea's military has suspended the flight of locally manufactured LAH-1 Miron helicopters after defects were found in engines, according to a lawmaker on Saturday.
The defense procurement agency had discovered in April corrosion in the engines of 47 among 57 Miron choppers assembled and supplied by Hanwha Aerospace and has suspended their operations, according to Rep. Kang Sun-young of the opposition People Power Party (PPP).
Cracks, possibly due to corrosion, were also found in the engines of 38 vehicles, the lawmaker added.
The engines used in the armed helicopters were originally developed by the French aerospace technology company Safran S.A. Hanwha is the local producer and supplier of the military choppers.
