South Korea starts $1.29B electronic warfare aircraft project

South Korea has launched a 1.9 trillion-won ($1.29 billion) program to develop a new class of aircraft designed to jam and disrupt enemy air defense networks, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced.

DAPA said the project, known as Block-I, will focus on developing large, dedicated electronic warfare aircraft capable of degrading an adversary’s integrated air defense systems and electronic command networks through sustained jamming operations. The agency discussed the development plan during a formal meeting with LIG Nex1, one of South Korea’s primary defense contractors, according to a statement released by DAPA.

The program represents one of the largest investments by Seoul in airborne electronic warfare capabilities and reflects growing concern over increasingly dense air defense environments in Northeast Asia. DAPA said the aircraft is intended to support joint operations by improving the survivability of South Korean and allied air assets operating in contested airspace.

Under the current plan, the Block-I aircraft is scheduled to enter service in 2034. The platform is expected to operate as a stand-off electronic attack system, targeting enemy radars, sensors, and command links from outside heavily defended zones while enabling follow-on air operations.

As noted by DAPA, the aircraft will be designed to conduct wide-area jamming missions rather than point attacks, allowing it to affect multiple layers of an opponent’s air defense network simultaneously. The agency did not disclose the specific airframe or sensor configuration but said the platform would be optimized for long endurance and high electrical power generation to support advanced jamming payloads.

The Block-I aircraft is also intended to improve interoperability with South Korea’s existing air and missile defense architecture and allied forces. DAPA said the system would play a key role in future combined operations by enabling safer access for strike aircraft, intelligence platforms, and unmanned systems.

In parallel with Block-I, DAPA confirmed plans to pursue a follow-on Block-II version after the initial aircraft reaches maturity. The advanced variant is expected to incorporate improved electronic attack technologies and expanded mission sets, though no timeline or budget details were released.

South Korea currently relies on a limited number of modified aircraft and ground-based systems for electronic warfare support. The new program aims to provide a dedicated airborne capability comparable to specialized electronic attack aircraft operated by the United States and other advanced air forces.

According to the agency, the project is part of a broader effort to adapt to modern warfare, where electronic dominance is increasingly critical to air operations. Dense radar coverage, mobile surface-to-air missile systems, and networked command structures have made traditional suppression missions more complex, increasing the demand for stand-off jamming platforms.

LIG Nex1, which participated in the planning meeting, is already involved in several of South Korea’s electronic warfare and sensor programs. The company is expected to play a central role in developing mission systems, jamming equipment, and integration solutions for the new aircraft, though DAPA did not name additional contractors.

The announcement comes as South Korea continues to expand its defense budget and invest in high-end capabilities, including long-range strike systems, missile defense, and space-based surveillance. Seoul has repeatedly stated that future conflicts would depend heavily on information dominance and the ability to operate in contested electromagnetic environments.