Korean Air Co. said Wednesday it has discussed ways to strengthen the surveillance capabilities of South Korea’s Air Force with U.S. defense industry firm L3Harris Technologies Inc.

The two sides held a meeting in Seoul on Tuesday to discuss cooperation in the field of surveillance capabilities, Korean Air said.

Attendees included Park Jung-woo, senior vice president of Korean Air’s aerospace business division; Jason Lambert, president of L3Harris Intelligence; and representatives from 30 domestic and international defense firms.

The Air Force aims to acquire additional Airborne Early Warning and Control systems to enhance its surveillance capabilities. Currently, the Air Force operates four Boeing E-737 Peace Eye airborne control aircraft. A second phase of the project is under way to procure additional aircraft by 2031.

L3Harris has proposed a solution for the second phase, integrating Bombardier Defense’s Global 6500 aircraft with Israel Aerospace Industries’ state-of-the-art radar systems.

Under a
2022 cooperation agreement with L3Harris, Korean Air plans to contribute to aircraft modification, parts manufacturing and operational training.

This project is expected to provide the domestic defense industry with opportunities for technology transfer, enhancing indigenous capabilities and facilitating integration into global supply chains, Korean Air said.

“This strategic collaboration will enable Korean Air to acquire and develop cutting-edge technologies in the modification, systems integration and comprehensive maintenance of advanced special mission aircraft,” Park said.

Park added that Korean Air is “dedicated to cultivating strategic alliances within the defense industry and bolstering the entire aerospace aftermarket value chain.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency