SOUTH KOREA is revising long-standing plans to acquire a fleet of airborne-early-warning (AEW) aircraft, as part of its next five-year mid-term defence plan.
Defence observers now expect the South Korean air force to finalise its AEW requirements and issue a request for quotations before the end of the year. To speed up the evaluation and selection process, tendering will be by invitation only, suggests an industry source.
South Korea's shortlist is thought to include the Boeing 767-based airborne early-warning and control system (AWACS), Israel Aircraft Industries' phased-array Phalcon radar and the Ericsson Erieye, mounted on a Saab 2000.
The air force has also been looking at the Northrop Grumman APS-145-equipped E-2C Group II aircraft. Other possibilities include proposed AEW versions of the Lockheed Martin P-3 and C-130J, fitted with the same radar.
Given the close proximity of potentially hostile military forces, the air force is understood to be emphasising the need for a good stand off range, enabling an AEW aircraft to be used to "look" into North Korea without itself coming under threat.
Performance and cost will also have a major bearing, on the number of AEW systems to be procured say officials. The air force is thought to require a minimum of four aircraft, to enable it to support a single AEW orbit covering the Korean peninsular.
The need for an AEW capability has been underlined by a recent heightening of tension with neighbouring Pyongyang, including the defection of a North Korean Mikoyan MiG-19 to the south. The air force now depends for AEW coverage on US Air Force Boeing E-3 AWACS staging out of Okinawa in Japan.
South Korea is also now focusing attention on its next ten-year joint strategic-operating plan for beyond 2000. Top of the military's long-term equipment wish list is the new FX fighter, needed to replace McDonnell Douglas (MDC) F-4D/Es and Northrop F-5E/Fs.
Options being studied include the Eurofighter EF2000, Dassault Rafale and MDC F-15E. The new fighter could be purchased as part of a local co-production deal.
The FX is intended as follow-on to the Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Korean Fighter Programme, the first phase-three licence-built version of which is due to be delivered in June 1997.
Source: Flight International
