L3Harris Technologies has secured a contract worth more than $2.26 billion to deliver a fleet of modified Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force, according to the company.
The deal will see L3Harris work with Bombardier, Israel Aerospace Industries’ ELTA Systems and Korean Air to develop an advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform.
The new AEW&C fleet is intended to enhance South Korea’s ability to identify and monitor airspace threats, while improving interoperability with the United States, NATO and regional partners. The communications suite is expected to integrate with fifth-generation fighter operations to create what the companies describe as a “networked battlespace.”
L3Harris Chair and CEO Christopher Kubasik said the company was “ready to deliver an advanced aircraft fleet that will strengthen mission effectiveness for a key American ally in the Indo-Pacific region.” He added that L3Harris would collaborate closely with the Republic of Korea on development, testing, integration and sustainment.
Bombardier President and CEO Éric Martel said the company was “extremely pleased that the Bombardier Global 6500 will help the Republic of Korea Air Force defend its borders with L3Harris’ solution,” adding that the aircraft’s performance and reliability made it a preferred platform “for governments seeking to modernise their capabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions.”
Boaz Levy, President and CEO of Israel Aerospace Industries, said the partnership combined “world-class, field-proven capabilities” in radar, sensors and mission systems integration. He cited the use of “advanced AESA radar technology and innovative detection and classification capabilities” as key to the aircraft’s effectiveness.
Korean Air will also play a central role in the programme. Jin Kyu Lim, Head of the company’s Aerospace Division, said the collaboration would “strengthen [Korean Air’s] capabilities in modification, integration and maintenance for the latest special mission aircraft” and contribute to building a stronger domestic aerospace sector.
Under the agreement, South Korean industry will take the lead in operating and maintaining the aircraft once delivered and may support future manufacturing needs related to the programme.
Amazingthe number of orders being placed around the world. I wonder if we should give the idea a go…
We can plan to assess the idea when fiscal circumstances allow. I sometimes wonder if MOD’s only contracts person is on sabbatical and it’ll all be fine when Janice gets back. You’d hope they’d have got in a temp, but Civil Service recruitment is frozen again.
Perhaps we could order 20 Typhoons also? Let’s see what Janice says when she gets back…