South Korea has officially announced the platform for the long-awaited new-generation airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). As selected by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the new AEW&C aircraft will be based on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet airframe, with L3Harris Technologies serving as the prime integrator.
With a budget of 3.1 trillion South Korean won (approximately $2.2 billion), the project is slated for completion by 2032. The contract is expected to be officially signed around November.
Phoenix Platform and Radar System
L3Harris Technologies’ selection of the Phoenix AEW&C platform will significantly enhance the ROKAF’s ability to maintain continuous and comprehensive air surveillance capabilities against growing air threats.
Radar System: At the heart of the Phoenix platform will be the ELW-2085 radar from Israel-based Elta. This radar is a proven system that has previously been integrated into Israeli and Italian Gulfstream G550 AEW aircraft and provides 360° coverage.
Integration Process: L3Harris announced that the first two aircraft will be modified in Texas, where preparations will be carried out prior to radar integration.
Local Industry Collaboration and Sustainability
A significant portion of the project will be outsourced to the local industry in South Korea. Korean Air will lead the work on the remaining two aircraft in the country and will also take on maintenance of the entire fleet.
Through agreements with its local partners— Korean Air, LIG Nex1, and Ace Antenna —L3Harris aims to ensure full support for the aircraft and mission system equipment in Korea. According to DAPA, L3Harris scored higher than its competitors in terms of operational suitability, operating costs, and collaboration with local defense companies. The company claims it can achieve operational availability rates exceeding 95 percent.
Competitors Left Behind
The Phoenix platform outperformed two strong competitors in the ROKAF’s next-generation AEW&C tender:
Boeing E-7A: Although the ROKAF already operates four E-737 Peace Eye AEW aircraft delivered in 2011–12, it did not opt for the similar E-7A, which the U.S. Air Force recently rejected.
Saab GlobalEye: Saab’s bid was also based on the Global 6500 airframe, but it was notable for the Swedish company’s use of the Erieye-ER radar and its local partner, Korea Aerospace Industries.
DAPA noted that although Saab’s proposal scored higher in terms of contract terms and acquisition costs, L3Harris’s total score was generally the highest. This result demonstrates that operational continuity and commitments to local support are critical factors.
