L3Harris Secures $2.26 Billion AEW&C Aircraft Contract for South Korea
The U.S. firm announced a contract on 20 October, valued at over $2.26 billion, to deliver modified Bombardier Global 6500 business jets configured as AEW&C aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force. L3Harris will lead the program as prime integrator, teaming with Bombardier (providing the Global 6500 airframe), Israel’s IAI/ELTA Systems (radars and sensors) and Korean Air (aircraft modification and sustainment).
Each new AEW&C jet gains significant performance and sensor upgrades. The Global 6500 platform is enhanced with high-performance AESA radar and long-endurance avionics. According to L3Harris, the jets will fly faster and operate longer to boost mission readiness, flying at higher altitudes for safety. They provide extended range and mission endurance, giving Korea’s air defense much greater surveillance reach. The aircraft carries combat‑proven radar suites and a secure communications package that is fully interoperable with U.S., NATO and allied networks. This means South Korean AWACS data can be shared seamlessly with U.S. 5th‑generation fighters and coalition partners in a “networked battlespace”.
Seoul will receive a total of four Global 6500 AEW&C jets under the plan. L3Harris in the United States will modify and flight-test the first two jets and Korean Air in South Korea will complete and integrate the remaining two. Final delivery is aligned with Korea’s defense modernization timeline and is expected between 2030 and 2032. The local industry will handle the fleet’s sustainment after entering service.
The new AEW&C capability greatly strengthens Korea’s air surveillance amid regional tensions. The four Global 6500s will supplement Seoul’s existing fleet of four Boeing E-7A Wedgetail AWACS, effectively doubling long‑range radar coverage. Bombardier’s CEO noted that, “This AEW&C solution will help the ROK Air Force defend its borders amid rising geopolitical tensions”.
For L3Harris, this contract underscores its role as a leading defense contractor. The company will supply the mission systems and integrate the Global 6500 airframe into a complete AEW&C platform. The collaboration bolsters Korea’s defense industry. Korean Air’s involvement strengthens its capabilities in modification, integration and maintenance for advanced special-mission aircraft. The $2.26 billion deal highlights L3Harris’s global reach in surveillance systems and enhances South Korea’s airborne early warning posture in a challenging security environment.