S. Korea's First Combat Helicopter

South Korea's first homegrown combat helicopter, the Surion, has been deemed ready for battle by army officials. The project to build a two-engine transport utility helicopter was launched in 2006 by South Korea's Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency. The Surion model is equipped with 3D electronic maps, automatic flying and vibration reduction systems, which the South Korean army said helped it pass 50 flight tests under extreme weather conditions in Alaska. The South Korean military said it plans to introduce about 200 more Surions by the end of 2022. Report by Laurie Blake.