US approves $4.9 billion E-7 AEW&C sale to South Korea
The Boeing E-7 AEW&C aircraft will join South Korea’s existing fleet of four E-7 ‘Peace Eye’ aircraft. (Photo: Boeing)
The purchase of the four aircraft will also include 10 CFM56 engines, alongside aircraft countermeasures, GPS navigation systems, and related logistic and programme support.
The US Department of State has approved South Korea’s request to buy four E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft at an estimated cost of US$4.9 billion.
The purchase of the aircraft will also include 10 CFM56 engines, eight installed on the aircraft and two spare, GPS navigation systems, aircraft countermeasures and radio systems alongside related logistic and programme support.
The sale to South Korea will serve to support the US’ foreign policy goals and national security objectives “by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region”, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.
The E-7 Wedgetail as an AEW&C aircraft will also, according to the DSCA, increase South Korea’s C4ISR interoperability with the US, as well as improve the country’s own intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and AEW&C capabilities.
Boeing will be the primary contractor for the deal and Congress have been informed of the sale, the DSCA added.
The announcement came at a time when South Korea was looking to expand its AEW&C fleet by adding to its four E-7 ‘Peace Eye’ aircraft. Boeing’s E-7 ‘Wedgetail’ is one of three competitors for the AEW&C II requirement, with the other two being Saab’s GlobalEye and IAI’s business jet solution.
In October, Saab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) which would allow for KAI to support Saab in delivering its GlobalEye aircraft should it be selected for the AEW&C II programme.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years]()
Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years
Ukraine’s rapid development of long-range, deep-strike loitering munitions has helped turn the sector into a market worth an estimated US$13.2 billion. The reasons behind this were outlined during Eurosatory 2026, as other countries embark on the early stages of procuring this capability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe]()
Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are an increasingly important tool for Europe’s law enforcement and public security agencies, with the past two years seeing rapid growth in operational deployment, procurement and regulatory acceptance.
-
![Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”]()
Fuselage of the first US Army MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor “is nearing completion”
Bell is advancing construction of the US Army’s next-generation MV-75 Cheyenne tiltrotor as FLRAA programme approaches testing, production and future battlefield deployment.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: L3Harris prepares ground for future Polish AEW&C replacement]()
Eurosatory 2026: L3Harris prepares ground for future Polish AEW&C replacement
L3Harris is positioning its AERIS X aircraft and a planned Polish industrial partnership as it anticipates a competition to replace Poland’s Saab 340 fleet.
