USA to Modernize South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagle Fighters

The United States has signed a $2.8 billion contract with Boeing to upgrade South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagle fighter jet fleet.

The modernization will be carried out under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and is intended to maintain and enhance the aircraft’s combat capabilities, according to Defence Blog.

Under the agreement, Boeing will handle the design and development of an integrated onboard systems package, including upgrades to avionics and the aircraft’s computing architecture.

While the full list of subcontractors has not been disclosed, similar upgrade programs typically include the installation of new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, improved electronic warfare systems, and modern secure communications equipment.

The work will take place at Boeing’s facilities in St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to continue through December 31, 2037.

A key part of the program is ensuring interoperability between the F-15K and fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets. The upgraded electronics will allow the aircraft to operate within a shared information environment, with the F-15K serving as the primary carrier of missile and bomb payloads, complementing the stealth capabilities of newer platforms during joint operations.

The program is expected to enable South Korea to operate its F-15K fleet through the mid-2030s and beyond.