South Korea boosts combat capabilities with F-15K upgrade and purchase of new tankers

South Korea’s Defense Project Promotion Committee has approved two major projects to enhance the country’s military capabilities.


The first project is a $2.73 billion effort to upgrade the combat capabilities of its F-15K fighters. The project, which will run from 2024 to 2034 and aims to strengthen the mission capabilities and survivability of the F-15K jets. The upgrade will include replacing the current F-15Ks’ old radar system with an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and installing integrated electronic warfare equipment and an up-to-date mission computer. It is not known if the upgrade of F-15Ks will be similar to Japan’s “Japanese Super Interceptor” (JSI) configuration. The JSI uses the APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, Advanced Display Core Processor II Mission System Computers and AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS).

Separately, the Defense Project Promotion Committee also approve the project to purchase aerial refueling tankers from 2024 to 2029. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) did not disclose how many tankers will be imported, but it is expected to buy two. Potential candidates for the project include Boeing’s KC-46 and Airbus A330 MRTT. South Korea currently operates four MRTTs which it designate as KC-330 Cygnus.

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