South Korea will spend billions of dollars to upgrade F-15K Slam Eagle fighters

South Korean authorities have approved a project to upgrade F-15K Slam Eagle fighters. The Asian country also wants to buy more air tankers.

Here's What We Know

The cost of the aircraft upgrade program will be $2.73 billion and has been approved by the Defense Advancement Committee. The upgrade will improve the capabilities and survivability of the fourth-generation fighters.

The upgrade will last from 2024 to 2034. The centerpiece will be the installation of an active phased array radar. It will replace the Raytheon AN/APG-63(V)1 radar.

There is no information at the moment about which radar will be installed on the Slam Eagle aircraft. One of the options is APG-63(V)3. F-15 Eagle fighters in the U.S., Singapore and Saudi Arabia are equipped with this radar.

The second alternative is N/APG-82(V)1. This radar is installed on upgraded F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II aircraft in the United States, as well as on the Japanese F-15J. The system features improved range, accuracy and reliability. The active phased array radar will allow aircraft to detect cruise missiles and drones. A less likely option is the radar being developed for South Korea's JF-21 Boramae fighter by Hanwha Systems.

In addition, the F-15K Slam Eagle will receive new electronic warfare equipment. The aircraft are now equipped with an AN/ALR-56 radar warning receiver and AN/ALQ-135 jammer. Instead, the fighters will receive a digital electronic warfare system AN/ALQ-239, developed by BAE Systems.

Source: The Drive