(LEAD) S. Korea to introduce more early warning aircraft from overseas
(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 3, 6, 8-11)
SEOUL, June 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea approved a plan Friday to purchase more airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C) from overseas as part of efforts to beef up its aerial surveillance capabilities, the arms procurement agency said.
Under the plan approved by the defense project promotion committee meeting, the country will launch the project next year to introduce more aircraft from overseas by 2027, rather than developing one at home, with a budget of 1.59 trillion won (US$1.32 billion), according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
The military has been pushing to buy two more early warning aircraft. Currently, the Air Force operates four Boeing 737-based Peace Eye aircraft since 2011.
"The project aims to better counter growing security threats by neighboring countries and to minimize possible surveillance vacuums," a DAPA official said.
The AEW&C aircraft equipped with advanced radar systems is designed to detect aircraft and other vehicles at long ranges and conduct command and control of the battlefield in an air engagement by directing strikes by fighter jets.

This file photo, taken on March 8, 2013, shows South Korea's airborne early warning and control system (AEW&C) aircraft, called "Peace Eye." (Yonhap)
The committee also approved a project to secure advanced Baekdu reconnaissance aircraft. The plan will be pushed for between 2021 and 2026 with 870 billion won, according to the DAPA.
Equipped with a remote control and signaling system, the Baekdu spy planes are supposed to carry out missions to gather signal intelligence from North Korea.
Currently, the military operates six units and seeks to replace four of them with advanced ones, according to the DAPA.
"After buying platforms from overseas, we will equip them with indigenous systems," a DAPA official said. "The upgraded units are expected to improve our SIGINT capabilities."
In a separate plan also approved Friday, South Korea decided to acquire TA-50 Block-2 trainer jets starting this year until 2024 with a budget of around 1 trillion won in line with the increased demand from the Air Force to nurture pilots.
The Block-2 jet is the upgraded version of the TA-50 aircraft, which are now in service.

TA-50 trainer jets fly in formation at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, south of Seoul, on Oct. 15, 2019. (Yonhap)
graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
BLACKPINK star Jisoo tests positive for COVID-19, to miss world tour stop in Osaka
-
(URGENT) Seoul city sends alert to residents to prepare for evacuation after N. Korea's launch
-
Seoul city sends alert to residents to prepare for possible evacuation after N. Korea's launch
-
N. Korea fires what it claims to be 'space launch vehicle' southward: S. Korean military
-
Flights from typhoon-hit Guam to S. Korea to resume Monday: ministry
-
Fifty Fifty chart on Billboard Hot 100 for 10th week with 'Cupid'
-
BLACKPINK star Jisoo tests positive for COVID-19, to miss world tour stop in Osaka
-
(URGENT) Seoul city sends alert to residents to prepare for evacuation after N. Korea's launch
-
S. Korea slams N. Korea's planned satellite launch, warns of consequences
-
N. Korea fires what it claims to be 'space launch vehicle' southward: S. Korean military
-
BLACKPINK star Jisoo tests positive for COVID-19, to miss world tour stop in Osaka
-
Nat'l team baseball players apologize for drinking during WBC in Tokyo
-
Suspect in grisly Busan murder sent to prosecutors for further probe
-
(2nd LD) Election watchdog refuses state auditor's inspection into nepotism suspicions
-
Napoli's Kim Min-jae named Serie A's best defender, makes Team of the Season