The South Korean government has approved a plan to develop an electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.
The 1.85 trillion Korean won ($1.41 billion) planned investment will see the aircraft being developed from 2024-2032, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
Under the plan, four aircraft similar to the US Air Force’s ‘Compass Call’ aircraft would be developed, Janes revealed, citing DAPA.
Stand-off Jammer Platform
The aircraft would act as a “stand-off jammer” platform helping improve the survivability of combat air assets by jamming enemy air defenses, command, and communications systems.
It will also help collect and analyze “threat signals” from neighboring countries.
South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development and LIG Nex1 will develop the aircraft’s EW suite, according to Janes. The suite would be more advanced than that of the KAI KF-21 multirole aircraft, being developed by LIG Nex1.
Heavy Chopper Acquisition
The Korean government’s Defense Project Promotion Committee also approved a 3.7 trillion Korean won ($2.82 billion) plan to buy heavy helicopters from abroad from 2024 to 2031.
The aircraft would replace the South Korean Army special operations choppers and South Korean Air Force search-and-rescue helicopters.