U.S. Approves $4.92 Billion Sale of E-7 AEW&C Aircraft to South Korea
U.S. State Department greenlights sale of four E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to strengthen South Korea’s air defense.
The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to South Korea, greenlighting the acquisition of four additional E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft along with logistics and program support, valued at approximately $4.92 billion. This decision, which has been certified to Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, represents a significant enhancement to South Korea’s air defense capabilities amid ongoing regional security challenges.
The ROKAF’s (Republic of Korea Air Force) acquisition request includes a comprehensive package: four E-7 AEW&C aircraft, ten CFM56 jet engines (eight installed and two spares), seven Guardian Laser Transmitter Assemblies (four installed and three spares), and eight Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures System Processor Replacements (four installed and four spares). Additionally, South Korea will receive ten Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems with anti-spoofing modules, six Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems with Tactical Targeting Network Technology, and other essential systems for communications, navigation, and countermeasures. These systems provide enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, crucial for detecting and responding to airborne threats and increasing interoperability with U.S. forces.
The E-7 AEW&C aircraft, produced by Boeing, are widely recognized for their advanced surveillance capabilities and are expected to significantly boost South Korea’s situational awareness and operational effectiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
The ROKAF already operates four E-7 aircraft, locally known as “Peace Eye,” which were delivered between 2011 and 2012. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) modified and tested three of these four aircraft at its facility in Sacheon.
The South Korean Peace Eye aircraft can be regularly monitored online on flight tracking websites and apps.
May 3, 2024#Gimhae AB, Busan #Central Area of the Korean Peninsula #NoCALLSIGN #71F4CB ROKAF E-737 AEW&C pic.twitter.com/bckKdVXoWW
— Heo TaeJin (@AIYeyENGDdJkjTr) May 3, 2024
However, with North Korea’s increasing unpredictable actions and recent provocations, including missile launches and heightened military posturing, the need for robust ISR capabilities has grown. The additional E-7, equipped with sophisticated radar and communication systems, is designed to track and identify airborne threats over extensive ranges, giving the ROKAF a critical capability of monitoring and countering potential security risks.
The security environment on the Korean Peninsula has been especially tense due to North Korea’s recent actions. Pyongyang has increased military drills and continued its weapons testing, maintaining pressure on both Seoul, Tokyo, Washington and the rest of the western goverments. North Korea has also strengthened ties with Russia, sending troops to support Moscow’s efforts in Ukraine. This development signals a concerning shift in regional alliances and underscores the need for enhanced ISR capabilities, as North Korea’s expanded role in the global military landscape could potentially complicate the security calculus for South Korea and its partners.
E-7 Wedgetail
Initially developed for the Royal Australian Air Force under Project Wedgetail, the E-7 has since been adopted (or chosen) by the air forces of South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and NATO, that will use the Wedgetail to replace its fleet of 14 E-3 AWACS with the first delivery planned in 2031.
In 2022, the E-7 was selected to replace the aging E-3, leading to the establishment of the E-7A Program Management Office and the initial procurement of two aircraft through a rapid prototyping pathway. The E-7A will serve as the Department of Defense’s primary airborne sensor, offering Joint Force commanders enhanced detection, identification, and tracking capabilities. It boasts advanced Airborne Moving Target Indication, Battle Management, Command and Control functions, and a Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar, which provides 360-degree coverage without the rotating antenna required by the E-3 Sentry.
The USAF previously announced plans to begin production in fiscal year 2025, with the first E-7A expected to enter service by fiscal year 2027, though it is unclear if this timeline remains current. The Air Force aims to acquire 24 additional E-7As by fiscal year 2032, bringing the total fleet to 26 aircraft.
The E-7 is based on the commercial Boeing 737-700, leveraging existing design and supply chains to reduce development and logistics costs and expedite its fielding. Its most important feature is the Northrop Grumman MESA radar, which allows the Wedgetail to track a wide range of airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. With ten mission crew consoles equipped with state-of-the-art systems, the Wedgetail provides operators with real-time data and comprehensive battlefield awareness, transforming it into a powerful airborne early warning and control platform.
In terms of operational reach, the E-7A Wedgetail can cover over four million square kilometers per mission: this extensive coverage is further enhanced by its capability for in-flight refueling, enabling long-range deployment and ensuring it remains airborne for extended periods, if necessary. Combining long-range surveillance radar, secondary radar, and tactical voice and data communication systems, the Wedgetail offers South Korea significant situational awareness and control over its airspace, bolstering its ability to respond rapidly to evolving threats in a complex regional security environment.