U.S. State Department approves sale of four E-7 early warning aircraft to South Korea

The U.S. State Department has approved South Korea's project to purchase E-7 airborne early warning control aircraft.

The Defense Security and Cooperation Agency under the U.S. Department of Defense said in a press release that the State Department has approved an external military sales contract to provide South Korea with airborne early warning and control aircraft.

The South Korean Air Force plans to introduce four E-7 early warning control aircraft at a cost of $4.92 billion and 6.7 trillion won.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the sales will enhance South Korea's ability to cope with current and future threats by improving its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities and its aerial early warning and control capabilities.

Starting with the introduction of Peace Eye No. 1 in September 2011, the Korean Air Force is currently operating four E-7 early warning control aircraft.

U.S. arms sales will be finalized after the Pentagon and defense companies sign a deal with the importing country and then approved by the State Department and Congress.