Seoul, South Korea - South Korea has selected U.S. defense company L3 Harris as the preferred bidder for its second phase Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft program, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on September 30. The acquisition, valued at approximately 3.0975 trillion Korean Won (about $2.3 billion USD), marks the first major multi-trillion-won U.S. arms deal under the Lee Jae-myung administration and is seen by analysts as a potential 'signal flare' for increased American arms purchases, potentially fueled by pressure from the Donald Trump U.S. administration.

L3 Harris Beats Saab for 'Peace Eye' Successor 

The project, which seeks to introduce four new AEW&C aircraft by 2032 to supplement the Air Force's current E-737 'Peace Eye' fleet, saw L3 Harris's bid ultimately chosen over a rival offer from Sweden's Saab. Both companies' proposals were reportedly similar in performance, but the L3 Harris model scored higher on factors including operational suitability, domestic defense contribution, and maintenance costs.

L3 Harris's winning bid proposes an AEW&C platform based on the Canadian Bombardier Global 6500 business jet, integrating an advanced Israeli-made radar system. DAPA expects the new aircraft to significantly enhance the military's ability to conduct all-weather, 24/7 aerial surveillance against airborne threats and ensure continuous, South Korean-led air control missions.

Trump's Influence and Future U.S. Arms Deals 

The decision follows remarks made by U.S. President Trump during a recent summit with President Lee Jae-myung in August, where he expressed expectations for South Korea, a "major purchaser of U.S. military equipment," to buy more American arms. This move echoes past U.S. demands and has sparked speculation that American-made platforms may receive a boost in other ongoing South Korean procurement projects, such as the second-phase aerial refueling tanker and the presidential helicopter acquisition programs.

The South Korean government is reportedly reviewing a list of U.S. arms purchases worth up to $25 billion (approximately 34 trillion KRW) through 2030 as part of a package to strengthen its defense capabilities and manage the U.S. security relationship. This list is rumored to include the additional procurement of 20 F-35A fighters, as well as upgrades for the F-15K and KF-16 fighter fleets, and the introduction of long-range surface-to-air missiles.

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