Saab and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) have signed an MoU that will see the companies cooperate as part of the ongoing Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) II competition. The signing follows a similar agreement signed between Korean Air and L3Harris.
"This program will be a stepping stone to expand the cooperative relationship between Saab and KAI, not only for the AEW&C II program but also any subsequent domestic AEW&C program and future special mission aircraft programs in Korea. Through the technology transfer, we will strengthen our capabilities for future independent domestic research and development for future Special Mission Aircraft programs,” said KAI's Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager of Aircraft Program Division, Chongho Yoon.
Saab is offering its Global 6500-based GlobalEye to meet ROKAF requirements. If Saab is selected, technology and intellectual property relating to the modification program will be transferred to KAI.
“This MoU between Saab and KAI will increase critical radar technology competence, and create domestic capability and self-sustainability to secure strategic independence for the Republic of Korea in the airborne surveillance
segment," said Saab's Vice President of Surveillance, Markus Borgljung.