South Korea has selected the American company L3Harris to supply four new AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning & Control) aircraft to the ROKAF, worth approximately $2.2 billion.
The AEW&C II program, launched in 2020 to complement the existing four E-737s, aims to address the low operational availability issues faced by current aircraft. The new platforms will be based on the Bombardier Global 6500 jet and equipped with the Israeli ELTA EL/W-2085 radar, using GaN technology.
The acquisition process involved the integration of systems and modifications carried out in partnership with Korean Air, which will lead the engineering, testing, and local maintenance work on the aircraft. L3Harris clarified that two of the four aircraft will be purchased ready to fly in the US, while the remaining ones will undergo modifications in South Korea.
The program aims to strengthen the local industry and ensure continuous air surveillance capability, both in times of peace and conflict.
The AEW&C II will enable South Korea to strengthen its air defense in response to North Korea’s expanding missile program. Currently, the ROKAF operates four E-7A Wedgetails (E-737), acquired in 2012, which suffer from low availability and maintenance issues. The new contract with L3Harris is expected to ensure greater reliability, integration of advanced technology, and efficient operation of the aircraft, aligning with the country’s strategic needs.
Source: The Aviationist | Photo: L3Harris | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
군, 차기 항공통제기로 美 L3해리스의 글로벌6500 선정 – 조선비즈
보잉의 입찰 포기로 L3해리스 vs 사브 2파전이긴 했음
이걸로 한국 공군 조기 경보 통제기는 이원화 https://t.co/TKOmhi66td
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