Air Force Long-Range Radar Aging Seriously

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Unauthorized intrusions into Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) by neighboring countries around the Korean Peninsula are increasing, but it has been confirmed that the aging of the long-range radars possessed by our military is at a serious level. In particular, concerns are growing due to active military movements, such as China announcing large-scale exercises covering the Yellow Sea and East China Sea areas starting from the 24th.

According to the Air Force, there are about 20 mobile long-range radars (4 types) in possession. Among them, eight long-range radars (FPS-117K) manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin have already exceeded their service life. The long-range radars deployed at the control battalions on Hwangbyeongsan in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, located in the frontline area, were introduced in 1987 and have exceeded their service life by 13 years.

The long-range radars deployed at Palgongsan, Yongmunsan, and Hwaaksan were installed in 1988. Those deployed in Uisong, Jeju, and Ilwon areas were installed in 1992. Long-range radars inevitably experience a decline in operational rate after exceeding 20 years of service life. Additionally, as it becomes difficult to procure repair parts for the long-range radars, the operational rate is known to be less than 60%. In particular, the radar base facilities are also severely aged. According to a safety inspection conducted by the Air Force Headquarters in 2018, eight radar bases received C and D grades, indicating the need for repairs.

Inside and outside the military, there are concerns that the aging of long-range radars is causing delays in responding to Chinese and Russian military aircraft. In response, the Air Force states that it fills the power gap with airborne early warning and control aircraft (AEW&C), but the Air Force only possesses four of these aircraft. Usually, two are under maintenance and only two are operated, so the operational rate is not high. The Air Force has decided to invest over 1 trillion won to acquire two additional aircraft, but even these will only be introduced by 2027.

Meanwhile, unauthorized intrusions into KADIZ by China and Russia are increasing. On the 20th, two Russian Air Force Tupolev (Tu)-95MS strategic bombers intruded into the KADIZ near Dokdo for about 20 minutes. China announced that from the 24th until the 30th of next month, it will conduct live-fire military exercises in the Bohai Bay area of the Yellow Sea for over a month and has prohibited ship entry. Furthermore, the Tangshan Maritime Safety Administration additionally announced on the 23rd that from the 24th of this month until September 30th, live-fire military exercises will be conducted in the Bohai Bay area of the Yellow Sea for over a month, prohibiting ship entry, raising concerns about possible military clashes.

A military official said, "We are currently minimizing the maintenance period of long-range radars and plan to introduce additional mobile long-range radars by 2024 to fill the power gap."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.