Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
South Korea could advance its planned airborne early warning (AEW) programme by 12 months, in response to criticism of the military's surveillance capability and its failure to detect recent North Korean incursions.
According to local industry sources, initial funding for an AEW procurement may now be brought forward to fiscal year 1997. A final decision is expected this month, when the South Korean National Assembly is due to approve the next defence budget.
The Republic of South Korean Air Force (RoKAF) had originally planned to issue a request for tenders in early 1997 and make a final system selection the following year. Discussions now focus on providing financing for the acquisition of the first two AEW aircraft in 1997 and funding the remaining two platforms in 1998.
A total of four machines is required to support a single AEW orbit over the South Korean peninsular. In an effort to shorten the evaluation process, the country's Ministry of National Defence has to date invited only three preferred companies to submit proposals.
Boeing is offering its new 767-based airborne -warning-and-control system (AWACS), already ordered by neighbouring Japan. Israel Aircraft Industries is also proposing a 767 platform, but fitted with the Elta Phalcon phased-array AEW radar, while Ericsson of Sweden has teamed with Saab to offer the Erieye system mounted on the Saab 2000 turboprop (Flight International, 30 October -5 November, P5).
For AEW support the RoKAF now relies on US Air Force Boeing E-3 AWACS aircraft based on Okinawa, Japan. The recent discovery of an abandoned North Korean submarine on the South Korean coast, the defection of a Mikoyan MiG-19 fighter across the border and incursions by surface warships, have caused alarm in capital Seoul over South Korean military preparedness.
Source: Flight International
