US approves $4.9 billion E-7 AEW&C sale to South Korea
The Boeing E-7 AEW&C aircraft will join South Korea’s existing fleet of four E-7 ‘Peace Eye’ aircraft. (Photo: Boeing)
The purchase of the four aircraft will also include 10 CFM56 engines, alongside aircraft countermeasures, GPS navigation systems, and related logistic and programme support.
The US Department of State has approved South Korea’s request to buy four E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft at an estimated cost of US$4.9 billion.
The purchase of the aircraft will also include 10 CFM56 engines, eight installed on the aircraft and two spare, GPS navigation systems, aircraft countermeasures and radio systems alongside related logistic and programme support.
The sale to South Korea will serve to support the US’ foreign policy goals and national security objectives “by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region”, the Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.
The E-7 Wedgetail as an AEW&C aircraft will also, according to the DSCA, increase South Korea’s C4ISR interoperability with the US, as well as improve the country’s own intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and AEW&C capabilities.
Boeing will be the primary contractor for the deal and Congress have been informed of the sale, the DSCA added.
The announcement came at a time when South Korea was looking to expand its AEW&C fleet by adding to its four E-7 ‘Peace Eye’ aircraft. Boeing’s E-7 ‘Wedgetail’ is one of three competitors for the AEW&C II requirement, with the other two being Saab’s GlobalEye and IAI’s business jet solution.
In October, Saab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) which would allow for KAI to support Saab in delivering its GlobalEye aircraft should it be selected for the AEW&C II programme.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme]()
Airbus awaits USMC decision on Logistics Connector programme
Airbus has been advancing development of its uncrewed MQ-72C Logistics Connector for the US Marine Corps, with a decision on the programme expected in early 2026.
-
![Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs]()
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
![India set to sign Rafale-M deal]()
India set to sign Rafale-M deal
New Delhi gears up to sign Navy Rafale deal as talks swirl around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
![Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss]()
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
