HyeonCheol Cho, Vice President, Defense Business, Korean Air (right), with Hoon Seok Jang, Sales Director, Bombardier Defense.
The big picture: Bombardier Defense is adding a second South Korean defense mission to its resume, with two Global 6500 aircraft now headed for the country's Electronic Warfare program.
Driving the news: Korean Air has formalized the purchase of two Global 6500 aircraft for South Korea's EW program, marking the deal with a signing ceremony in Seoul. That's on top of four Global 6500s already committed to South Korea's Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) program, announced in October 2025.
By the numbers:
2 — Global 6500 aircraft for the Electronic Warfare program
4 — Global 6500 aircraft already committed to AEW&C
6 — total Global 6500 aircraft now serving South Korea's defense modernization
What the EW jets will do: The two aircraft will fly Stand Off Jammer (SOJ) missions, disrupting enemy electromagnetic signals from a safe distance.
Catch up quick: The AEW&C piece traces back to October 2025, when L3Harris Technologies announced it had won a contract to deliver modified Global 6500 AEW&C aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force.
What they're saying:
Michael Anckner, VP of Worldwide Sales, Bombardier Defense: "The Global 6500 aircraft is in demand around the world because of its performance and versatility, and we're extremely proud that it was chosen for two very advanced, yet different defense missions in South Korea. This aircraft is trusted because of its proven military track record, yet it remains highly adaptable as defense needs evolve."
Why the Global 6500: Long range, high-altitude performance and adaptability to outer-mold-line changes make it a favorite for ISR, multi-role missions, medical evacuation and head-of-state transport worldwide.
Bottom line: South Korea is now running two distinct, high-stakes defense missions off the same aircraft platform, and Bombardier just cemented itself as a key player in the country's air force modernization.
