Seoul has selected a team comprising Israel Aerospace Industries’ Elta Systems unit, Korean Air and prime contractor L3Harris Technologies to supply its future batch of airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft.
The team’s proposal – a heavily adapted Bombardier Global 6500 long-range business jet named Phoenix – emerged as preferred bidder for the AEW&C II requirement following a decision by South Korea’s military procurement body.
“According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration [DAPA], the Republic of Korea has selected L3Harris Technologies for their next-generation AEW&C programme,” the US company announced on 30 September.
“This project is expected to enhance the Republic of Korea armed forces’ ability to maintain continuous and comprehensive air surveillance and control capabilities in response to growing aerial threats,” it adds.
The team’s proposal has previously been detailed as pledging that Korean Air will be responsible for performing in-country modification work on the third and fourth airframes.
Other contenders for the AEW&C II requirement were Boeing, which was proposing a repeat purchase of its 737NG-based E-7 Wedgetail system; and Saab, pitching its Global 6500-derived GlobalEye.
The Republic of Korea Air Force’s current AEW&C inventory totals four Wedgetails acquired via its Peace Eye acquisition and introduced to service from 2011. In November 2024, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency valued a potential purchase of another four of the jets at up to $4.9 billion.
If confirmed by DAPA, the selection could mark the second success inside a week for a Global 6500-based special mission platform in South Korea.
The Canadian-built type also is expected to form the basis for a new electronic warfare platform to be provided by Korean Air and LIG Nex1, after their bid scored highest during a recent formal evaluation.
