On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of State approved the potential sale to the Republic of Korea of a large batch of ARC-210 RT-2036(C) radio sets and KY-100M encrypted communications equipment in a package valued at up to USD 200 million.
Photos: Collins Aerospace
According to the published information, the government in Seoul requested the possibility of acquiring:
- an undisclosed number of ARC-210 RT-2036(C) encrypted radio sets and associated support materials for Boeing F-15K Slam Eagle aircraft and Airbus KC-330 Cygnus transport/tanker aircraft,
- KY-100M narrowband/wideband encrypted voice communication (COMSEC) terminals and associated support materials, platform design, integration, and installation work for Leonardo AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat anti-submarine warfare helicopters, Lockheed MC-130K Hercules special operations support aircraft, CH-47NE Chinook heavy transport helicopters, UH-60P Black Hawk multirole helicopters, CASA/IPTN CN-235-100M/220M transport and search-and-rescue aircraft, KAI TA-50 Block 1 and Block 2 advanced trainers, KAI FA-50 Block 10 light combat aircraft, and KAI KT-1 Woongbi primary trainers,
- repair and return support, publications, training, and other related logistics and program support elements.
The contractor will be Collins Aerospace, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, a subsidiary of RTX.
On September 22, 2025, a framework agreement was signed between the U.S. Department of Defense and Collins Aerospace with a maximum value of 351,213,325 USD for the delivery of 9,859 AN/ARC-210(v) series radio sets along with associated equipment. Recipients are to include, among others, customers under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. A previous framework agreement for 8,493 radios of this type, valued at up to 279,592,539 USD, was signed on September 20, 2024.
The AN/ARC-210 family of radio sets (in the latest production version, Gen6) carries the international designation TruNet AR-1500, which Collins Aerospace delivered in May 2024 for Lockheed C-130H Hercules medium transport aircraft of the Polish Air Force.
These radio sets offer the same frequency range and performance parameters, with selectable waveforms and expanded capabilities, including L-band data transmission and Link 22 connectivity. They use the latest technology, software, and software-defined radio architecture, enabling proven, fully secure battlefield communications and easy upgrades to newer versions as mission requirements evolve.
AN/ARC-210 radios are used to provide communications for close air support missions, as well as navigation, airspace control, and maritime communications. To date, more than 50,000 radios across six generations have been produced, delivered to over 50 countries and integrated on more than 200 platform types. The latest Gen6 version features improved encryption performance and enhanced resistance to electronic warfare interference.
The KY-100M COMSEC is a U.S. cryptographic device (Controlled Cryptographic Item, CCI) designed for secure (encrypted) voice and data communications. It is a modernized version of the KY-100 AIRTERM terminal from the ANDVT (Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal) family.
The KY-100M provides encrypted communications in half-duplex mode (alternating transmit/receive) and operates in both narrowband and wideband modes. It enables simultaneous secure transmission of voice and data, interoperates with HF, VHF, and UHF radios as well as satellite systems, and is fully integrated with other COMSEC systems such as VINSON (KY-57/KY-58), MINTERM (KY-99A), TACTERM (KYV-5), and SINCGARS.
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