MOSCOW, Feb 7: Russia delivered helicopters to South Korea in 2024 for the first time in 10 years, while cutting its export of aircraft parts by two-thirds year-on-year, a Sputnik analysis of data from South Korea’s statistical service showed.
South Korea’s imports of aircraft components from Russia in 2024 totaled $5.2 million, or 34.5 tonnes, marking a sharp 69.2% decline from the previous year and hitting the lowest level since 2022. Prior to this period, no such deliveries had been recorded.
South Korea’s imports from Russia included $2.9 million worth of spare parts for airplanes, helicopters and drones, as well as $2.04 million spent on propellers. Smaller purchases, such as landing gear and related components, accounted for $261,000.
In a notable development, South Korea also purchased aircraft directly from Russia for the first time since 2014, acquiring helicopters with an empty weight exceeding 2 tonnes for $4.1 million.
Combined, South Korea’s imports of aircraft and related parts from Russia in 2024 reached $9.3 million (39.8 tonnes). Among the countries supplying such goods to Seoul, Russia ranked ninth. The top five suppliers were the United States ($2.4 billion), France ($1.1 billion), Germany ($274.4 million), Canada ($88.5 million), and China ($83.7 million).
This move highlights a shift in Russia’s export strategy, as it pivots from supplying components to delivering complete aircraft, while facing stiff competition from other major global suppliers in the South Korean market.
(UNI)
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