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South Korea Picks L3Harris to Supply Four Global 6500 AEW&C Jets by 2032

The decision reflects a push for lower sustainment costs with greater local participation.

Concept rendition from KAI showing the airborne electronic warfare and standoff jamming based on the Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. (Image credit: KAI)
A South Korean E-7 airborne control aircraft flies over Seoul Air Base on September 27, 2013.
Concept rendition by L3Harris of its Conformal AEW aircraft based on the Bombardier Global 6500 business jet in Republic of Korea Air Force markings. (Image credit: L3Harris)
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Overview

  • DAPA approved a 3.87 trillion-won acquisition for four aircraft to restore round-the-clock air surveillance and strengthen independent air-control operations.
  • The selected platform is a Bombardier Global 6500 modified by L3Harris and equipped with Israel’s ELTA EL/W-2085 dual-band AESA radar.
  • DAPA said L3Harris outscored Saab’s GlobalEye on operational suitability, domestic industry contribution, and operation and maintenance costs, with core performance rated similar.
  • The move follows persistent low availability in the ROKAF’s existing E-737 fleet, which prompted the AEW&C II program launched in 2020.
  • In a separate KRW 1.775 trillion program, DAPA is reviewing domestic bids to field at least four indigenous electronic-warfare aircraft by 2034, with KAI–Hanwha and Korean Air–LIG Nex1 submitting competing designs.