South Korea's E-7 aircraft flies in the sky, in this file photo taken in September 2011. Courtesy of the South Korean Air Force.SEOUL, November 5 (AJP) - South Korea will procure airborne early earning aircraft and other related equipment from the U.S.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said on Monday that the U.S. State Department has approved the sale of four E-7 airborne early warning & control aircraft along with relevant logistics and program support to Korea.
The procurement, estimated to cost an estimated $4.92 billion, is being made under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which is part of the U.S. strategy to supply weapons to foreign governments and requires congressional endorsement.
"This proposed sale will improve [South Korea's] ability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and airborne early warning and control capabilities..... [South Korea] will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces," the agency said.
The South Korean Air Force, which currently operates four E-7 aircraft, known as "Peace Eye," has been pursuing additional acquisitions to further enhance its fleet.
