■ LGI supports China’s South Pole exploration with its Russian Kamov KA-32 helicopters

■ Securing a foothold to enter the new market in China for private helicopters

■ Aiming to grow as the top operator of Russian helicopters through business diversification

LG International is set to support China’s state-level exploration of the South Pole with its Russian Kamov helicopter. To that end, LGI will dispatch a helicopter, personnel and equipment for the Antarctic Pole exploration. 

The Chinese South Pole exploration is a state-run project drawing the attention of the relevant Chinese authorities, and will be conducted for about five months from November 12, 2007 to mid April 2008 under the initiatives of the Polar Research Institute of China. Notably, as this year marks International Polar Year, which is celebrated every 50 years, the Chinese exploration is attracting the enthusiasm of polar expedition and research communities around the world.

LGI’s Kamov helicopter will be shipped aboard China’s first icebreaker and exploration ship Xue Long on the coast of Jeju Island’s northern port (3.2km from Seoqwipo Port), and will be transported to Antarctica via Australia. In Antarctica the helicopter will transport fuel, food and equipment to China’s South Pole base, and will return to Jeju Port by April next year, wrapping up its mission.  

To date, China has used its domestically manufactured Z9 helicopters for polar expeditions, but starting this year has decided to use LGI’s Russian-produced Kamov KA-32 helicopters as well. This deal was made possible through Chinese authorities’ recognition of the unrivalled professionalism of LGI’s 15-year history of maintaining and selling Kamov helicopters. Notably, the Russian Kamov helicopter maintained and operated by LGI has recorded a high operation rate of around 100 hours a month in the private sector. The helicopter can load five tons of cargo and is not greatly affected by changes in weather conditions, giving it the excellent status of an all-weather aircraft and attracting acclaim as the best helicopter for the South Pole expedition. 

In 1993, LGI became the first company to supply two Russian Kamov helicopters to the Korea Forest Service, and has thus far exclusively supplied 60 Russian helicopters domestically. Also, at the Cheongju Airport maintenance shop, which is capable of maintaining six helicopters at a time, 67 maintenance personnel—including 20 engineers from the Russian manufacturer itself—are stationed to maintain helicopters. Based on these efforts, over the past ten years, through its close technological exchanges with Russia, LGI has accumulated excellent maintenance capabilities and operational know-how, thereby enhancing the ongoing high performance and image of Russian helicopters. 

LGI’s contribution of a Kamov helicopter to the Chinese polar exploration has numerous profound associations. Korean LGI has become the first foreign company to provide a Russian-produced helicopter for China’s state-sponsored South Pole exploration, of which the country is very proud. Also, this project is a joint undertaking symbolizing the friendship between Korea and China, as they celebrate 15 years of diplomatic ties this year. These aspects have great significance. For LGI, this event is a good opportunity to globally publicize its capabilities and technological prowess as a helicopter specialist, as well as bringing to fruition its aircraft business after years of close technological exchange with Russia. 

Through supplying its helicopter for China’s South Pole expeditions, in conjunction with its ten-year close partnership with Russian helicopter manufacturer KumAPE, Russian governmental agencies, and entities within China, LGI expects to successfully penetrate China, which is rapidly emerging as a high-potential private helicopter market.