Phoenix Platform Chosen to Enhance Air Defense Capabilities
South Korea has awarded a follow-on contract to a team led by L3Harris for the acquisition of four Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, according to an announcement by the country’s procurement agency.
L3Harris Phoenix Wins the Bid
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced Tuesday that L3Harris’s Phoenix aircraft, a modified Bombardier Defense Global 6500 business jet equipped with an advanced radar system, was selected for the program.
Competition with Saab Globaleye
The project, valued at 3.1 trillion-won ($2.21 billion), pitted the Phoenix against Saab’s Globaleye airborne early warning system, which also utilizes the Global 6500 airframe.
DAPA Cites Key Factors in Decision
In a statement, DAPA explained that the L3Harris proposal, featuring Israel’s Elta EL/W-2085 radar, received a higher overall evaluation score than its Swedish competitor.
Operational Suitability and Cost Efficiency
According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, DAPA noted that while there was no significant difference in performance evaluation between the two entrants, „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.”
Complementing Existing AEW&C Fleet
The Republic of Korea Air Force already operates the Boeing E-7A „Peace Eye” AEW&C aircraft. In November 2024, the US State Department approved the potential sale of four additional E-7As to South Korea.
Strengthening Air Defense and Intelligence
The current program aims to acquire additional aircraft to bolster South Korea’s air defense and intelligence-gathering capabilities against North Korea. These efforts are also part of South Korea’s broader strategy to gain operational control of its military during potential conflicts.
Operational Control Transition
Under current arrangements, operational control of the South Korean military during wartime will be transferred to the South Korean-US Joint Forces Command. Peacetime operational command has been under the South Korean government since 1994.
