The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to South Korea of four E-7 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 4 November 2024.
The proposed sale, which is worth an estimated USD 4.92 billion (EUR 4.6 billion), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) already operates four E-7 AEW&C aircraft under a contract signed in November 2006, but in 2023 South Korea initiated a competitive programme to acquire four additional AEW&C platforms. Currently vying with the E-7 for the requirement are the Saab GlobalEye platform, which is based on a Bombardier Global 6000 aircraft and features the Saab Erieye ER airborne early warning radar, and a team comprising US company L3Harris, Korean Air and Israel’s ELTA offering a platform based on a Global 6500 aircraft with an ELTA radar solution.
The E-7 features the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar supplied by Northrop Grumman.
Specifically, South Korea has requested the potential to buy four E-7 AEW&C aircraft; 10 CFM56 jet engines (eight installed, two spares); seven Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (GLTA) (four installed, three spares); eight AN/AAR-57 AN/AAQ 24(V)N Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) System Processor Replacements (four installed, four spares); 10 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System sets with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules – or M-Code receivers (eight installed, two spares); and six Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems with Tactical Targeting Network Technology (four installed, two spares).
Non-Major Defense Equipment items covered by the potential acquisition include: AN/ARC-210 radios; digital radar warning receivers; AN/ALE-47 electronic countermeasure dispensers; LAIRCM control interface units; missile warning sensors; AN/APX-119 identification friend or foe (IFF) transponders; KY100M narrowband/wideband terminals; KIV-77 Mode 4/5 IFF cryptographic appliqué sets; AN/PYQ-10 simple key loaders; KG-175 Link encryptors; spares and accessories; software and technical documentation; and various aspects of engineering, technical, logistics, training and programme support.
“This proposed sale will improve the ROK’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and airborne early warning and control capabilities. It will also increase the ROK Air Force’s command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance interoperability with the United States,” the DSCA stated.
The principal contractor for the South Korean E-7 acquisition would be Boeing out of its facilities in Renton, Washington State.
