The US State Department has approved the sale of equipment and services to South Korea to upgrade its F-15K fighter jet fleet.
The $6.2 billion deal includes advanced mission system computers, aerial refueling support, Active Electronically Scanned Arrays, radars, and missile-warning systems, as well as maintenance, software support, and training.
The initiative “will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its critical air defense capability to deter aggression in the region,” explained the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
The primary contractors will be Boeing and Raytheon, ensuring interoperability between US and South Korean forces.
F-15K Upgrading Program
South Korea currently operates 59 F-15Ks and announced its plan to modernize the aircraft earlier this year under the Performance Improvement Project.
The program is expected to run until 2034, with a budget of 3.9 trillion won ($2.9 billion).
In 2022, the Asian country signed multiple 5-year contracts with Boeing to upgrade its air force’s F-15K fighter jets, Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, and Chinook helicopters.
The deals aim to enhance aircraft capabilities by improving logistics and supply chain management activities, including Boeing’s collaboration with local industries for procurement, delivery, maintenance, training, and risk management.