The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) will receive funding to modernize its F-15K Eagle fleet and to add new in-flight refueling aircraft.
South Korea’s Defense Projects Promotion Committee approved two major projects to boost ROKAF capabilities in the face of threats posed by North Korea’s growing bellicosity and the ever-increasing power of China’s Armed Forces.
F-15K
On the one hand, the modernization of the Korean F-15K fleet will be carried out between 2024 and 2034. According to information released by the Defense Acquisition Program office (DAPA), the modernization project has funding of about $2.73 billion.
The publication does not provide specific information on how the F-15K’s performance will be improved, but it is mentioned that it will seek to improve the aircraft’s acquisition and identification capabilities, as well as strengthen its survivability.
The F-15K modernization program will most likely take many elements from the USAF’s F-15E upgrade program and the F-15EX Eagle II, the most advanced production version of this legendary U.S. heavy fighter.
Modernization is likely to focus on the adoption of the AESA AGP-82(V)1 radar, the Eagle Passive / Active Warning and Survivability System electronic warfare and self defense system, improvements in cockpit data displays and the integration of the ADCP-II, the world’s fastest mission computer.
Tanker aircraft
The Defense Projects Promotion Committee also resolved to establish a program for the purchase of an unspecified number of foreign in-flight refueling aircraft. The project has funding of about $950 million and is to be completed between 2024 and 2029.
Currently, the most likely candidates are Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus and Airbus’ A330 MRTT. However, the ROKAF already operates four of Airbus’ aircraft under the KC-330 Cygnus designation, so it is likely that the European aerospace company will be awarded this future sale.
