South Korea to Bolster Air Defense with Four Bombardier Global 6500 AEW&C Aircraft

South Korea Acquires Advanced AEW&C Aircraft

The Republic of Korea has announced a significant enhancement to its air defense capabilities, confirming the acquisition of four advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft. The deal, valued at approximately 3.1 trillion won (about $2.2 billion), involves L3Harris Technologies as the lead integrator, providing a solution based on the Bombardier Global 6500 airframe. This strategic move is designed to significantly boost the nation's aerial surveillance and intelligence gathering capacities, with the project slated for completion by 2032.

Phoenix Platform to Integrate ELTA EL/W-2085 Radar

The chosen platform, designated as 'Phoenix' by L3Harris, will utilize the high-performance Bombardier Global 6500 business jet. At the core of its surveillance capabilities will be Israel's ELTA EL/W-2085 radar system. This advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar features a conformal, side-mounted array design, complemented by additional antennas in the nose and tail, to provide comprehensive 360-degree coverage. The EL/W-2085 is known for its dual-band, Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, offering superior range, resolution, and electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities. This configuration is expected to enable the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to effectively detect, identify, and manage complex air pictures, including threats from missiles and drones, while benefiting from lower operating costs and extended endurance.

Strategic Imperative and Local Collaboration

This acquisition is part of South Korea's next-generation AEW&C program, often referred to as 'AEW&C II,' and represents a strategic pivot in its defense posture. It aims to address persistent operational challenges and expand upon the existing fleet of four Boeing E-737 Peace Eye AEW aircraft, which were delivered between 2011 and 2012. The new aircraft are crucial for maintaining continuous and comprehensive air surveillance in response to escalating aerial threats, particularly from North Korea. Furthermore, the project emphasizes local industrial participation, with Korean Air set to lead modification and sustainment work on two of the aircraft within South Korea. This collaboration extends to other domestic defense partners, including LIG Nex1 and Ace Antenna, ensuring in-country support for the aircraft and mission systems.

Enhancing Regional Security and Deterrence

The selection of the L3Harris Phoenix platform, which triumphed over competitors such as Boeing's E-7A and Saab's GlobalEye, underscores South Korea's commitment to modernizing its intelligence, surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities. The addition of these four advanced AEW&C aircraft will significantly improve the ROKAF's ability to monitor and respond to aerial incursions and missile threats, thereby strengthening the nation's deterrence posture across the Korean Peninsula. The program is a critical component of South Korea's broader efforts to build a high-tech, resilient defense force capable of addressing complex and unpredictable security challenges.