South Korea has approved a 1.9 trillion won ($1.29 billion) program to develop a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), with initial operational deployment planned for 2034. Announced by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), the initiative represents a major step in strengthening Seoul’s ability to counter advanced air defense systems and dominate the electromagnetic spectrum during high-intensity conflict on and around the Korean Peninsula.
According to DAPA, the Electronic Warfare Aircraft (Block-I) program is designed to deliver wide-area, stand-off jamming against hostile radar and communications networks. The aircraft will be capable of detecting, analyzing, and disrupting adversary electromagnetic emissions over extended ranges. In peacetime, the platform will support persistent monitoring and characterization of regional electronic activity, while in wartime it will play a critical role in suppressing enemy integrated air defense systems (IADS) and degrading command-and-control links. The decision places South Korea among a limited group of nations operating large, purpose-built electronic warfare aircraft.
While DAPA has not officially confirmed the final airframe, the program is expected to be based on a long-range business jet platform, with domestic reporting pointing to candidates such as the Bombardier Global 6500 or Gulfstream G550. The Block-I aircraft is planned as the first phase of a multi-block development approach, with a more advanced Block-II configuration envisioned to incorporate upgraded sensors, jammers, and processing capabilities as threats evolve.
From an industrial perspective, the program emphasizes domestic electronic warfare expertise. LIG Nex1 has been designated as lead contractor for the mission system, responsible for the electronic support measures and electronic attack payloads. Korean Air is widely expected to handle airframe modification and overall platform integration. Designed for long-endurance stand-off missions, the aircraft will feature enhanced electrical power generation, cooling capacity, and multiple operator workstations, reinforcing South Korea’s drive toward sovereign high-end electronic warfare capabilities.
