Defence in brief: 31 October 2006

ROCKETS DEFEATED

A NATO effort to protect helicopters from the threat posed by rocket-propelled grenades passed an initial test on 10 October when a prototype system demonstrated a claimed 80% success rate during ground firing trials in Bulgaria. Also supported by Greece and Poland, the passive armour project will continue with flight tests using a helicopter.

ATTACK PLAN

South Korea has re-established its programme office for a long-planned attack helicopter acquisition expected to total up to 72 aircraft. An industry source says Seoul's decision to revive the project - which could see acquisitions made over several years in batches of 18 aircraft - was made after determining that an indigenous development effort would take too long.

Source: Flight International