ROK requests P-8A aircraft
The US State Department has made a determination approving a potential foreign military sale of P-8A maritime patrol aircraft to the Republic of Korea, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced on 13 September.
In a package worth $2.1 billion, Korea has requested six P-8A aircraft, nine Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems 5, 14 LN-251 with embedded GPS/INS and 42 AN/AAR-54 missile warning sensors.
The request also includes commercial engines; tactical open mission software; electro-optical and Infrared MX-20HD; AN/AAQ-2(V)1 acoustic system; AN/APY-10 radar; ALQ-240 electronic support measures; AN/ALE-47 counter measures dispensing system; operation support systems; maintenance trainer/classrooms; and other associated logistics support equipment.
Korea has operated P-3 maritime surveillance aircraft for more than 25 years, providing interoperability and critical capabilities to coalition maritime operations. The proposed sale will allow Korea to modernise and sustain its maritime patrol capability for the next 30 years.
If the sale goes ahead, Boeing will be the prime contractor.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies]()
US Navy expands non-standard acquisitions to rapidly field emerging technologies
The US Navy is increasing the use of OTA obligations to accelerate the procurement of seabed-subsea, littoral, expeditionary and uncrewed solutions.
-
![Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?]()
Can Portugal solve NATO’s uncrewed systems development challenge?
NATO has spent more than a decade building one of the world’s most sophisticated maritime uncrewed experimentation ecosystems, but still lacks a way to translate this testing into alliance-wide operational capability. Portugal now believes it has the answer.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Schiebel’s frigate-first strategy indicates a shift in UAV competition]()
Eurosatory 2026: Schiebel’s frigate-first strategy indicates a shift in UAV competition
Schiebel is pursuing opportunities in the UK and France while leveraging its integration with Naval Group’s FDI frigate programme to create new naval business across Europe.
