Republic of Korea Army Surion KUH-1 Destroyed

A South Korean Army IAI Heron reconnaissance drone crashed into a parked KAI KUH-1 Surion helicopter while landing at the Army airfield in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, on 17 March 2025, starting a fire that destroyed both aircraft. The Army Ground Operations Command said there were no casualties and that the cause was under investigation; it ruled out North Korean jamming. The Surion, valued by The Korea Herald at about $14 million, is South Korea's indigenous utility helicopter, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries and fielded across the army, marines, police and coast guard. The accident raised questions about the segregation of uncrewed and crewed operations at shared Korean airfields.