South Korea picks L3Harris Bombardier Global 6500-based AWACS aircraft over Saab and Boeing
October 1, 2025
South Korea has selected the L3Harris AWACS solution with an Israeli radar over Swedish and Boeing competition. This will give the ROKAF a mixed fleet of E-7 Wedgetail (PeaceEye) and L3Harris radar aircraft by 2032.
South Korea selects L3Harris Global 6500
South Korea announced on Tuesday that it has selected L3Harris Technologies Inc. to provide it with its future airborne control aircraft (AWACS). The contract is part of Korea’s efforts to bolster its airborne surveillance capabilities and complement its existing fleet of Boeing E-7 Wedgetail.
The deal is worth 3.87 trillion won, or approximately $2.8 billion, for four L3Harris AWACS aircraft based on the Global 6500 business jet. The aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2032.
South Korea initiated its search for a new radar aeroplane in 2020 to serve alongside its fleet of four Boeing E-7 Wedgetails, locally known as the E-737 Peace Eye.
The L3Harris/Elta EL/W-2085 radar aeroplane should not be confused with the similar-looking L3Harris EA-37B Compass Call radar aircraft currently entering US Air Force service.
South Korea’s selection of radar aircraft
Radar aircraft are incredibly expensive and specialised pieces of equipment, requiring a highly trained crew. According to reporting by The War Zone, Boeing offered Korea more of its E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, but this was rejected by Korea.
Instead, South Korea focused on the Swedish Saab GlobalEye and the L3Harris radar aeroplanes. Both of these aircraft are based on the Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft.
The L3Harris solution comes with the EL/W-2085 radar made by Israel’s Elta. Meanwhile, the Saab aircraft is equipped with the Erieye Extended Range (ER) radar. The two aircraft are easily distinguished as Saab mounted the radar above the jet, while L3Harris incorporated it in the cheeks of the aircraft.
South Korea’s news outlet, Yonhap News Agency, quoted Korean officials as saying there was no significant difference in the performance of the two systems. Saab offered great acquisition costs and contract terms, although L3Harris scored better overall.
The L3Harris aircraft is already in service with Israel, Italy, and Singapore. Separately, Israel has developed its own unique, similar-looking radar aircraft called the Oron. The Saab GlobalEye is in service with the UAE and on order by Sweden. More orders from European countries, like France, are expected.
The vital, but increasingly vulnerable, role of AWACS aircraft
AWACS aircraft are the eyes of advanced militaries and are a vital component of their ability to paint a picture of the battlespace and coordinate operations.
However, they are also becoming increasingly vulnerable. At least two of Russia’s rare Beriev A-50U Mainstay aircraft were shot down while operating what was thought to have been a safe distance behind the front. These are very difficult for Russia to replace.
The backbone of the US AWACS fleet is the ageing and retiring E-3 Sentry fleet. The US Air Force has urgently contracted Boeing to rapidly develop a version of the E-7 Wedgetail (originally designed for Australia) to suit the needs of the USAF.
More about the downed Russian A-50
— PS01 □ (@PStyle0ne1) February 26, 2024
This is the analysis of Ukrainian analyst Alexander Kovalenko, a few major points: pic.twitter.com/OMuwdwTtYX
Increasing costs and vulnerabilities, including those posed by China’s long-range J-20, led the Pentagon to consider cancelling the E-7 Wedgetail program. It said it would move assets in space and purchase less-capable naval E-2 Hawkeyes as an interim measure.
Congress has moved to restore funding and force the Air Force to procure the E-7. Still, the debate rages. The Wedgetail is currently selected by the USAF and NATO and is in service with Turkey, South Korea, and Australia. It is poised to enter service with the UK’s Royal Air Force.
