Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) Aviation

Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) Aviation and integrated Air Defence Systems

As of 2026, the ROKA is undergoing a qualitative transformation under the Defense Innovation 4.0 program, prioritizing high-readiness rotary-wing mobility and the induction of indigenously developed systems like the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH) to replace aging legacy platforms.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA ARMY AVIATION & AIR DEFENCE • Daehanminguk Yuk-gun

Personnel: ε370,000–500,000 (Total Army). Status: Operational / High-Readiness. Strategy: Rapid tactical mobility, anti-armor dominance, and multi-layered point defense against low-altitude aerial threats as part of the Three-Axis Defense System.

Forces by Role & Equipment by Type

• AIRCRAFT 1 active platform.

Tactical & Utility Transport:

• 1 Beechcraft King Air 90.

• HELICOPTER 620+ active airframes.

Attack (Helicopter):

• 75 Bell AH-1J/S Cobra.
• 36 Boeing AH-64E Apache (36 additional airframes on order for 2026 delivery).
• 2 KAI Light Attack Helicopter (LAH) (Initial production units delivered; 190+ more on order to replace legacy AH-1 and MD500 fleets).

Multi-role & Tactical Support (Helicopter):

• 250 McDonnell Douglas MD500.
• 12 MBB Bo105.

Tactical Transport (Helicopter):

• 150 KAI Surion (KUH-1).
• 113 Sikorsky S-70 / UH-60L/P Black Hawk.
• 34 Boeing CH-47D/F Chinook (36 more on order).

Training (Helicopter):

• 38 Bell 505.

• UNCREWED AERIAL SYSTEMS (ISR)

Tactical ISR (Medium):

• Night Intruder 300.
• IAI Searcher.

• AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS (GROUND-BASED)

Point-defence Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM):

• Chiron (Shingung).
• Chun Ma (Pegasus).
• FIM-92 Stinger.
• Javelin; Mistral; 9K310 Igla-1.

Anti-Aircraft Artillery (Guns):

• ε150 KIFV Vulcan (Self-propelled 20mm).
• 167 K30 Biho (Self-propelled 30mm).
• K-808 SPAAG (Self-propelled wheeled units entering service).
• 60 M167 Vulcan (Towed 20mm); 20 GDF-003 (35mm); 80 L/60/L/70 (40mm).

• TACTICAL SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILES (SSM)

Short-range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM):

• 30+ Hyonmu IIA/IIB.
• MGM-140A/B ATACMS (Launched from ROKA M270 MLRS platforms).

Ground-launched Cruise Missiles (GLCM):

• Hyonmu III.

Supporting Integrated Fire Systems 

• Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MRL): ε40 K136 Kooryong (130mm); 58 M270/M270A1 MLRS (227mm); ε200 K239 Cheonmu (239mm).
• Air-Launched Weapons (Aviation Command): AGM-114R1 Hellfire.
  
  

Strategic Note: By 2026, the ROK Army has solidified its "Kill Chain" capability through the massive deployment of the indigenously produced K239 Cheonmu and the high-mobility Surion transport fleet. The ROKA Aviation Command maintains a critical role in the "Three-Axis" defense strategy, providing the tactical mobility and precision fire support necessary to neutralize North Korean artillery and armor threats. While legacy platforms like the AH-1 Cobra and MD500 remain in service, the rapid induction of the LAH and additional AH-64E Apaches marks a shift toward a more technologically advanced, lethal rotary-wing force. Ground-based air defenses have also been modernized with the K30 Biho and the K-808 SPAAG, ensuring robust point protection against the evolving drone and low-altitude missile threats.