AviationNews – The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has selected L3Harris Technologies for its next-generation Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft program. This significant contract, valued at over $2.26 billion, aims to bolster South Korea’s surveillance and threat detection capabilities using advanced modified business jets.
L3Harris will lead a team including airframer Bombardier, radar specialist IAI’s ELTA Systems, and local partner Korean Air. Announced today, the selection concludes a competitive process for replacing or supplementing the ROKAF’s current Peace Eye AEW&C fleet, which is based on the Boeing 737 platform. The decision marks a major win for L3Harris in the high-value AEW&C market.
The core of the South Korean solution will be heavily modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jets. These aircraft offer significant advantages in speed, range, altitude, and endurance compared to traditional airliner-based platforms. L3Harris will integrate advanced mission systems, including IAI-ELTA’s combat-proven radar technology, onto the Global 6500 airframe, providing enhanced capabilities to detect and track airborne and maritime threats.
“L3Harris is ready to deliver an advanced aircraft fleet that will strengthen mission effectiveness for a key American ally in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Christopher Kubasik, Chair and CEO, L3Harris. “We look forward to collaborating with the Republic of Korea to develop, test, integrate and sustain this vital capability for years to come.”
This selection underscores a growing trend towards using more efficient business jet platforms for complex special missions like AEW&C. The new fleet is expected to provide South Korea with improved mission readiness and enhanced interoperability with US and NATO forces, crucial in the dynamic Indo-Pacific security environment.
In summary, South Korea is investing heavily in its future airborne surveillance with the selection of L3Harris and its Global 6500-based solution. This multi-billion dollar program will deliver advanced AEW&C capabilities vital for national security and regional stability for decades to come.
