South Korea’s Secret Weapon Against North Korean Air Defense

South Korean Military Develops Electronic Warfare Helicopter
Capable of Detecting North Korea’s Air Defense Network
Soon to Start Developing Aircraft Version

Powerful firepower alone does not win modern warfare. In today’s battlefield, dominated by electronic equipment, the ability to blind and deafen the enemy with advanced detection equipment and jamming signals and incapacitate enemy weapons equipped with electronic equipment is crucial. This can minimize our casualties and maximize the damage to the enemy.

Significantly, to neutralize North Korea’s air defense network threatening the South Korean Air Force’s fighter jets, the South needs an aircraft capable of electronic warfare, specifically detection and jamming. The South Korean military is planning to introduce such an electronic warfare helicopter. Let’s explore the future of South Korea’s electronic warfare aircraft and this electronic warfare helicopter.

Decision on Aircraft Pending
Chinook a Potential Choice

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of South Korea plans to develop a new airborne electronic warfare platform with a massive budget of over $1.2 billion U.S. dollars. The project is expected to continue until 2032. However, deciding which aircraft will serve as the base for the electronic warfare helicopter is still pending. Also, selecting a new helicopter is possible.

However, the South Korean military’s extensive experience operating the Chinook helicopter across all three branches makes it a likely base for developing electronic warfare aircraft. Particularly, DAPA has announced their plan to develop the aircraft based on a ‘heavy helicopter,’ increasing the likelihood of selecting Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook as the electronic warfare helicopter.

Electronically Arming the KF-21 and C-130

However, experts do not expect this electronic warfare helicopter to remain the main electronic warfare aircraft for long. They anticipate the adoption of a larger electronic warfare aircraft based on the C-130 medium transport aircraft, a business jet, or a smaller electronic warfare aircraft based on the KF-21 Boramae, which KAI is currently developing.