Politics · South Korea · 6 hrs ago
South Korean surveillance aircraft and missile radar report low availability
South Korea’s key systems for monitoring North Korea had low operating rates as the government pushed ahead with plans for South Korean forces to take the lead in wartime defence.
One of four Green Pine early-warning radars, which detect and track ballistic missiles, was out of service for about 277 days after a lightning strike.
The Air Force said delayed technical support from the Israeli manufacturer, amid a prolonged Middle East situation, held up repairs.
From January to August, the radar fleet’s operating rate was 82.8%, while the E-737 airborne control aircraft and RF-16 reconnaissance aircraft were available about 61% of the time.
These aircraft and radars help detect missile threats and gather information, which can give forces more time to respond.
The figures have raised concern that lower availability could weaken surveillance coverage, even when other systems are used to fill gaps.
A lawmaker said South Korea should strengthen its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities before transferring wartime operational control; no specific next steps were given.
South Korean missile-warning radar and surveillance aircraft have reported low availability, according to data received from the Air Force.
One Green Pine radar was out of service for about 277 days after being struck by lightning and was repaired in April.
The Green Pine radar availability rate was 82.8% in January–August this year, while the E-737 and RF-16 rates were 60.8% and 61.5%.
The Air Force said other radars were used to maintain North Korea surveillance missions while the damaged radar was being repaired.
A lawmaker said the military should strengthen its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities before pursuing wartime operational control transfer.
- Who
- South Korea’s Air Force operates the radar and aircraft; lawmaker Han Ki-ho criticized their availability.
- What
- Availability rates for several surveillance assets were low, including the Green Pine radar, E-737 and RF-16.
- When
- The report was published on October 19, 2026. It gives availability figures for January–August 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The article attributes low availability to equipment faults and lengthy repairs; it says technical support for the radar was delayed by the prolonged situation in the Middle East.
South Korean Air Force
Han Ki-ho
Radar outage
South Korean Air Force
The Air Force said it adjusted the use of other ballistic-missile surveillance radars and carried out North Korea surveillance missions without interruption.
Han Ki-ho
Han said the military was failing to operate key surveillance and reconnaissance assets properly.
Wartime operational control transfer
South Korean Air Force
Not stated.
Han Ki-ho
Han said the military should first establish reliable surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities before wartime operational control transfer.
Green Pine radar availability was 99% during each of these years.
Lightning put one of the four Green Pine radars out of service.
The radar damaged by lightning was repaired after 6,646 hours out of service.
Green Pine radar availability was 82.8%, E-737 availability was 60.8%, and RF-16 availability was 61.5%.
Donga Ilbo reported the availability figures from data provided to Han Ki-ho’s office by the Air Force.
- Green Pine radar downtime
- 6,646 hours, about 277 days
- Green Pine availability
- 82.8% in January–August 2026
- E-737 availability
- 60.8% in January–August 2026
- RF-16 availability
- 61.5% in January–August 2026
- RQ-4B Global Hawk availability
- 80.2% in January–August 2026
1 source
What people are saying
The military is rushing only the wartime operational control transfer while failing to properly operate even key surveillance and reconnaissance assets.
We carried out North Korea surveillance missions without interruption.
For sensing, sensing, sensing capability.
Conditions have changed and we have changed our plans, so there are new standards we need to meet.