South Korea has announced the selection of L3Harris Global 6500-based airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft to bolster its surveillance capability amid rising security threats from North Korea and China. 

Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), South Korea’s apex defense procurement agency, announced on September 30 that it has selected the US defense contractor L3Harris Technologies Inc. to supply four new airborne control aircraft at the cost of 3.87 trillion won, or about $2.82 billion. The aircraft will be supplied by 2032.

The Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) currently operates four Boeing E-737 airborne control aircraft, the South Korean variant of the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft used by NATO countries.

The selection of the L3Harris Global 6500 is part of the second phase of the AEW&C acquisition, which aims to expand surveillance capabilities in response to steadily rising regional security threats.

The L3Harris solution combines a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft with Israel’s Elta’s EL/W-2085 radar. This class of radar is already in use in AEW&C aircraft operated by other countries, such as Israel, Italy, and Singapore.

The conformal dual-band Gallium Nitride (GaN) AESA radar (Elta EL/W-2085) integrates seamlessly into the fuselage, providing 360-degree coverage while preserving aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. This is a first for the Global 6500, enabling low-altitude threat detection while flying higher and faster than legacy platforms.

It stands out due to its innovative use of a business jet platform, deep integration with the local industry, and a focus on cost efficiency and future-proofing. The selection was also confirmed by L3Harris in a post on X.

The other two contenders in the program were Boeing, with its E-737, and SAAB’s Erieye Extended Range (ER) radar, which is also based on a Global 6500 platform. However, DAPA selected the L3Harris option after an evaluation gave it a higher score, as per Yonhap.

The report stated that all proposals were evaluated across multiple criteria: performance, operational suitability, contributions to the domestic defense industry, operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, contract terms, and acquisition costs.

“There was no significant difference in the evaluation of the performance of the target equipment, and L3Harris received high scores in the areas of operational suitability, domestic defense industry contribution, and operation and maintenance costs, while Saab received high scores in the areas of contract terms and acquisition costs. As a result of synthesizing the scores for each evaluation item, L3Harris received a high score.” DAPA was quoted as saying by the Yonhap report.

“Through this project, we expect to secure the ability to conduct constant aerial surveillance of enemy aerial threats in both wartime and peacetime, and to enable smooth execution of air control missions led by the Korean military,” it further added. Notably, DAPA noted no major differences in raw performance scores but highlighted L3Harris’s edge in practical integration and long-term affordability.

There has been some buzz among observers around the sidelining of Boeing, with some reports suggesting that it was excluded from the competition earlier this year. The EurAsian Times could not independently verify these claims.

That said, the acquisition of the L3Harris aircraft is significant because South Korea’s rugged terrain limits the effectiveness of ground-based radars. The AEWCS capabilities have been a cornerstone of the country’s air defense strategy since the 1980s.

In 2005, the initial phase—known as the Peace Eye program—resulted in the acquisition of four Boeing E-737 AEW&C aircraft (based on the 737 Next Generation), delivered between 2011 and 2012 at a cost of approximately $1.6 billion. These platforms, equipped with Northrop Grumman AESA radars, were designed to enable 24/7 monitoring of enemy aircraft, missiles, and low-altitude threats, such as drones and cruise missiles.

However, operational challenges emerged early. From 2015 to 2019, the E-737s experienced frequent failures, falling short of the required 75% availability rate and exposing gaps in South Korea’s air defense network. 

A ROKAF document presented to the Korean National Defense Committee stated that the E-737s had not reached the desired availability rate of 75% due to “frequent failures” that occurred between 2015 and September 2019.

This shortage of airframes allegedly revealed weaknesses in South Korea’s air defense coverage due to the inability of the aircraft to conduct continuous patrols.

Ever since that time, North Korea has only escalated its work in the sector of low-flying drones and cruise missiles, which have modest radar signatures but pose a serious threat to South Korea.

Thus, to address these gaps and modernize its fleet amid escalating North Korean missile tests and regional tensions, South Korea launched the E-X Phase II program in 2020. This second phase is meant to enhance intelligence, surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.

L3Harris Global 650 For South Korea 

The chosen AEW&C is a heavily modified version of the Bombardier Global 6500, a long-range business jet renowned for its efficiency, with a range of up to 6,600 nautical miles, and low operating costs compared to larger airliners like the 737.

This marks a shift toward business-jet-based platforms for special-mission roles, offering better fuel economy and easier maintenance.

The aircraft will be based on Bombardier Global 6500, with conformal modifications for radar integration. It will be equipped with the Elta EL/W-2085 multi-band AESA radar, featuring side-mounted arrays for wide-area coverage and additional nose/tail antennas for 360-degree surveillance. It excels at detecting low-altitude threats, such as North Korean drones and cruise missiles, and simultaneously tracking multiple targets.

The aircraft would feature integrated electronic support measures (ESM), electronic warfare (EW) suites, and mission systems for real-time data fusion, battle management, and secure communications. The platform supports ISTAR missions, including signals intelligence (SIGINT).

When paired with the E-737s, the new aircraft would enable 24/7 surveillance, independent air control, and rapid response to incursions, which is crucial for scenarios such as preemptive strikes or allied operations with the US. Additionally, the ISTAR enhancements given to the platform would enable joint missions, including the interception of drone swarms and cruise missiles, among other things.

“This project is expected to ensure round-the-clock aerial surveillance capabilities against enemy air threats during both wartime and peacetime, and to enable independent and efficient air control operations by the South Korean military,” said DAPA.

Under such cross-company collaborations, L3Harris would typically handle the final aircraft deployment, radar, and mission system integration, as well as modifications to the Global 6500. 

L3Harris has been announcing contracts and business dealings with Korean Air for the South Korean program for about two years. L3Harris earlier showcased scale models of three Global 6500-based electromagnetic sensing planes at the 2024 Aerospace Conference.

All of them were marked with ROKAF, with the CAEW being named “Phoenix” and the EW/jamming and ISTAR platforms being named “Crow” and “Griffon,” respectively.

Typically, an AEW&CS aircraft is considered crucial as it provides real-time surveillance, command, and control over large areas. Its powerful radars can detect warplanes, missiles, and even drones at long ranges, providing critical situational awareness that ground-based radars may struggle to match.

They coordinate air operations, guide fighters, and integrate data from multiple sources, including satellites, other aircraft, and ground-based sensors, serving as airborne command centers. This role is vital in complex, dynamic battlefields where rapid decision-making is crucial.

AEW&CS enable early warning of incoming threats, including low-flying aircraft or cruise missiles, which are harder to detect from the ground. They essentially extend the range of air defense networks and enhance offensive operations by guiding assets efficiently. These aircraft are crucial in contested regions where air superiority and early warning may prove decisive against a near-peer adversary. 

These aircraft use sophisticated multi-spectral sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify low-observable (stealth) aircraft, drones, and hypersonic missiles. Although fighters are getting better at this, their smaller radars and limited sensor suites are less effective against such threats when compared to the’ specialized systems of the AEW&CS.

AEW&CS remain critical for wide-area surveillance and coordinating complex air operations, especially in contested environments. The most likely future model is a hybrid one that combines AEW&CS, drones, satellites, and networked fighters.

Since there is a looming possibility of Russia and China supporting North Korea in a potential conflict, the acquisition and integration of a new and capable spy aircraft becomes indispensable for South Korea.