LIG Nex1 has been selected to lead the development of South Korea’s first stand-off electronic warfare aircraft, a program that will convert a civilian business jet into one of the country’s most sophisticated military platforms.
Valued at 1.56 trillion won ($1.1 billion), the project was recently finalized with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and calls for delivery of the aircraft by June 2034. In collaboration with Korean Air, the initiative will adapt a Bombardier business jet into an electronic attack platform designed to disrupt enemy sensors, radar, and command systems while remaining outside hostile airspace.
LIG Nex1 will be responsible for developing and installing the electronic warfare systems, while Korean Air will oversee aircraft integration and production. The program represents a significant expansion of South Korea’s electronic warfare posture, which has traditionally depended on fighter-based EW systems rather than dedicated stand-off assets.
The new platform will allow the military to conduct electronic attack and signals collection missions at standoff ranges, reducing risk to aircrews. This capability has gained urgency amid recurring electronic disruptions from the North, including GPS jamming incidents that persisted for more than 329 days.
Widely viewed as one of the nation’s most complex defense development efforts, the aircraft is frequently likened to the US Air Force’s EA-37B Compass Call in terms of role and operational concept.
