A KUH-1 helicopter produced by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), one of two models Iraq is acquiring for firefighting and rescue operations as part of its civil defense upgrade.
Iraq prepares to add emergency helicopters to civil defense fleet for firefighting, rescue operations
BAGHDAD — Iraq is finalizing the addition of two emergency helicopters to its Civil Defense Directorate, with Iraqi pilots and technicians currently undergoing training in South Korea, officials said Monday.
Mohsen Kazem, director general of the Civil Defense Directorate, told 964media the aircraft will be used for firefighting in difficult terrain and for rescue operations during natural disasters. “We have signed a contract with Korea Aerospace Industries to purchase two KUH-1 [Surion] helicopters — one for firefighting and the other for flood and disaster rescue operations,” he said.
A delegation from the directorate, including pilots and technical staff, traveled to Seoul to inspect the helicopters and conduct hands-on training. “These aircraft are already used in South Korea and elsewhere. We observed their performance, including simulated operations,” Kazem said. “The firefighting helicopter can carry up to 2,000 liters of water and demonstrated strong operational speed during field trials.”
The training mission and acquisition follow an earlier meeting between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and officials from Korea Aerospace Industries on Dec. 23, 2024, where the two sides discussed bolstering Iraq’s civil and military aviation capabilities.
Kazem said the helicopter purchase is part of a broader modernization plan aimed at improving Iraq’s emergency response infrastructure, particularly as urban expansion and vertical construction strain existing services. He noted that Iraq has also signed contracts with European manufacturers for specialized fire trucks, including 27 high-rise ladder trucks from a Finnish company and vehicles with advanced imaging systems from the British firm Angloco.
Nuwas Sabah, spokesperson for the Civil Defense Directorate, said the helicopters were selected for their compatibility with Iraq’s climate and terrain. “They are designed to operate in high temperatures and are suited for densely populated areas with tall buildings,” he said.
He added that the firefighting aircraft will help contain agricultural fires, which have caused significant seasonal losses in wheat and barley fields, while the rescue helicopter will aid in evacuating people from multi-story buildings.
“This is the first time since the founding of the Civil Defense Directorate that aircraft will be added to the force,” Sabah said.