South Korea recently selected L3Harris Technologies to supply four Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft in a strategic move to enhance its aerial surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities. The aircraft will be equipped with ELTA Systems’ advanced dual-band EL/W-2085 conformal radar. The acquisition is expected to enable South Korea to strengthen its air defense network, maintain operational readiness in an increasingly complex regional security environment, and close critical intelligence gaps, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s report, “The Global Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market Forecast 2025-2035,” reveals that South Korea is expected to spend about $20.8 billion on procurement of various military fixed wing aircrafts between 2025 and 2035. Of this amount, nearly 20% will be allocated to the acquisition of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, including early warning aircrafts.
Rithik Rao, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The Global 6500 aircraft procurement comes amid deepening military cooperation between Russia, China, and North Korea, a development that has heightened tensions and increased the need for enhanced situational awareness across the Korean Peninsula. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty signed between Russia and North Korea in June 2024 has enabled North Korea to access better military hardware and technology than it currently possesses. This makes it crucial for South Korea to secure its ability to maintain sovereignty and control over its airspace.”
The new aircraft, designated as ‘Phoenix,’ will complement the Republic of Korea Air Force’s existing fleet of four Boeing E-737 Peace Eye aircraft, which in the past have struggled with low mission availability rates. The introduction of the Phoenix will help ensure continuous aerial surveillance, thereby strengthening South Korea’s command and control capabilities over its airspace.
Rao concludes: “The fleet expansion is also a preemptive measure against potential upgrades to North Korea’s air defence systems, particularly if Russia were to transfer advanced radar or electronic warfare systems to Pyongyang. Additionally, Russian and Chinese air patrols frequently enter South Korea’s air defence zone, necessitating constant monitoring and response. In this context, the acquisition of the Phoenix enables South Korea to respond in real time to evolving threats, thereby reinforcing its deterrence posture across the Korean Peninsula.”
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