Korean Air has entered into a significant partnership framework with Lockheed Martin, focusing on the maintenance and repair of American military aircraft positioned throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This strategic alliance, announced in Goyang, aligns with the Pentagon’s Regional Sustainment Framework, designed to enhance combat readiness by relocating aircraft repairs and upgrades closer to where U.S. and allied forces operate.
Key figures at the signing ceremony included Cho Hyun-chul, head of Korean Air’s military aircraft division, and Steve Sheehy, Lockheed’s vice president for sustainment operations. This collaboration expands Korean Air’s scope in servicing U.S. military aircraft, particularly F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, while also allowing the company to explore maintenance opportunities in other nations that utilize Lockheed Martin equipment.
As the sole provider of extensive maintenance and upgrade services for U.S. aircraft in East Asia, Korean Air boasts a notable track record, having serviced over 3,700 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft in the region. The airline has played a crucial role in the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Service Life Extension Program, which is designed to extend the lifespan of jets by reinforcing their structural integrity.
Lockheed Martin has a long-standing history of supplying South Korea with essential defense systems, including advanced fighter jets like the F-16 and F-35, transport planes such as the C-130J, and missile defense systems including Aegis and Patriot.
Both companies have emphasized that this partnership will ensure U.S. and allied aircraft remain mission-ready, while also reducing costs and accelerating repair times. A Korean Air official highlighted the importance of this agreement in bolstering cooperation between the United States and its allies, stating, “With more than 50 years of accumulated technology and infrastructure, we will contribute to enhancing the global standing of Korea’s defense industry.”
