Japan and South Korea upgrade F-15 fighters to keep them relevant
An F-15K Slam Eagle of South Korea’s air force takes off during Exercise Pitch Black 2024 in Australia. (Photo: Gordon Arthur)
Japan and South Korea plan major enhancements to their F-15 programmes.
Japan and South Korea are modernising their F-15 fighter fleets. Japan has awarded Boeing a $450.5 million contract to upgrade the F-15J fighters in its Air Force, as announced by the US government on 10 December.
The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) will modernise its fighters to the Japan Super Interceptor configuration.
This Foreign Military Sales (FMS) sole-source contract will see the first-phase acquisition of AN/APG-82(v)1 AESA radars, AN/ALQ-250 electronic warfare suites, AN/AAR-57 missile warning systems and advanced display Core Processor II mission computers. The work is expected to be completed by February 2030.
The award followed a $129.2 million
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Pentagon’s 800% PAC-3 MSE surge faces production bottleneck as Patriot demand soars]()
Pentagon’s 800% PAC-3 MSE surge faces production bottleneck as Patriot demand soars
The Pentagon wants to procure 3,203 PAC-3 MSE interceptors in FY2027, but production constraints and international demand could impact efforts to rebuild depleted missile stocks.
-
![AIM-260 JATM deal puts Australia’s missile-industrial ambitions in focus]()
AIM-260 JATM deal puts Australia’s missile-industrial ambitions in focus
While a potentially accelerated acquisition timeline could strengthen the RAAF’s long-range air combat capability, Canberra’s continued reliance on US missile production is also put under the spotlight in parallel to its push to build a sovereign industry.
-
![Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?]()
Attack drones versus CUAS – the future of warfare or just another trend?
Demand signals for counter-drone technology are strong and the market is becoming crowded, but is this really the beginning of a new phase of warfare or will commentators be talking about something else 10 years from now?
