Seoul ponders possible avenues for extra AEW&C aircraft
The ROKAF currently has four Boeing 737 AEW&C Peace Eye aircraft in service. (Gordon Arthur)
Industry sources suspect that South Korea will increase its follow-on AEW&C aircraft buy to four units.
South Korea currently owns four Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft delivered in 2011-12. Still, it has a requirement to expand this AEW fleet as Seoul seeks to take on more responsibility for security on the Korean peninsula from the US.
Last year, the Defense Project Promotion Committee approved a purchase of two extra AEW aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). This AEW-II project is slated for 2021-25, with a budget of KRW1.334 trillion ($1.2 billion) approved for the actual aircraft.
There are likely three leading contenders for what will be a competitive tender exercise: Boeing’s 737 Peace Eye
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV]()
Paris Air Show 2025: GA-ASI unveils the PELE air-launched UAV
The air-launched PELE has been designed to extend the sensing capabilities of the MQ-9B and its user service through various payloads.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft with 10 options for future European acquisition]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Portugal signs for sixth C-390 Millennium aircraft with 10 options for future European acquisition
Portugal was the second country to purchase the C-390 Millennium aircraft for its air force, originally signing for five aircraft in 2019. This order marks the first time an operator has signed an additional order for the C-390.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Lockheed says TR-3 upgrade “closing in” on completion]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Lockheed says TR-3 upgrade “closing in” on completion
The TR-3 configured F-35 aircraft have rolled off production lines since July 2024, but are still not yet combat capable and are still awaiting final sign-off for the software upgrade.
-
![Spanish Army’s VAMTAC drone acquisition progresses ongoing UAV investment]()
Spanish Army’s VAMTAC drone acquisition progresses ongoing UAV investment
Spain has made clear its intent to acquire a range of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), including those that will form part of its wider VAMTAC programme, announced in June 2025.
-
![M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force]()
M-345 officially enters service as trainer for Italian Air Force
The Leonardo M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer (HET) basic/advanced trainer is similar to the M-346, which is the second part of the Italian Air Force’s training system, but is a substantially smaller and less powerful aircraft.
