This photo provided by Hanwha Aerospace Co. shows a company researcher talking to reporters about aviation engine testing equipment at the company’s plant in Changwon, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul, during a media tour event held on April 24, 2025. (Yonhap)
CHANGWON, South Korea, April 27 (Korea Bizwire) – Hanwha Aerospace Co. is seeking to join a U.S. Department of Defense initiative to establish a network of military repair hubs in the Indo-Pacific, a move that could significantly enhance the combat readiness of U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and strengthen South Korea’s strategic role in allied security efforts, company officials said.
The initiative, known as the Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF), was announcement by the Pentagon in May last year to regionalize military logistics by shifting depot-level maintenance to trusted allied nations. South Korea is one of five pilot countries selected, along with Japan, Australia, the Philippines and Singapore.
The South Korean defense manufacturer shared its goal during a media event held Thursday at its facility in the southeastern city of Changwon, about 300 kilometers south of Seoul, where the firm manufactures and services military aircraft engines for both domestic and allied platforms.
Hanwha Aerospace, the defense equipment arm of South Korea’s Hanwha Group, is aiming to participate in one of the RSF’s “Pathway Projects,” which are intended to test and validate the capabilities of overseas sites in supporting U.S. military equipment.
The company is focusing on its expertise in maintaining F404 and F414 fighter jet engines, used widely in U.S. military aircraft, as well as South Korea’s TA-50 trainer aircraft and the upcoming KF-21 fighter jets.
More specifically, Hanwha is currently monitoring demand involving maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) support for F-16s operated by the U.S. 7th Air Force in Osan, while considering extending capabilities to F-15s.
Company officials said Hanwha’s “just-in-time” MRO model, combined with its close proximity to U.S. bases in South Korea and Japan, would directly contribute to faster maintenance turnaround and help improve the readiness of USFK assets stationed on the peninsula.
This photo, provided by Hanwha Aerospace, shows its booth at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX) 2023 in Cairo on Dec. 4, 2023. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
“U.S. officials visited us in March to assess Korean industry capabilities,” Baek Il-seong, senior manager of Hanwha’s MRO strategy team, said. “They expressed satisfaction during the inspection, particularly with our security protocols for handling sensitive information.”
Hanwha Aerospace has manufactured more than 10,000 engines and performed over 5,700 overhauls since entering the defense sector in 1979. It holds long-term manufacturing partnerships with global aerospace giants, such as General Electric, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce.
The company is also nearing completion of a new smart engine facility at the Changwon complex. The plant is designed to support next-generation propulsion systems and will house artificial intelligence (AI)-powered quality control, predictive diagnostics and digitized logistics systems.
Baek noted that Hanwha’s MRO concept prioritizes not just cost efficiency but combat readiness, a concern which, according to Hanwha, has been emphasized by both the current USFK commander and former Eighth U.S. Army commander.
“The strategic value of maintaining high combat readiness close to operational zones outweighs cost considerations,” he said. “We believe Hanwha can play a pivotal role in reinforcing that readiness.”
Hanwha is currently capable of providing MRO services for engines it manufactures. For other platforms, the company said it has plans to scale up facilities if selected for participation in the RSF.
These preparations are part of Hanwha’s broader strategy, already aligned with potential agreements being negotiated through the South Korea-U.S. Logistics Cooperation Committee (LCC), which is expected to convene in August.
This photo provided by Hanwha Aerospace Co. shows an engineer working on the maintenance of an aircraft engine at the company’s plant in Changwon, some 300 kilometers south of Seoul, on April 24, 2025. (Yonhap)
“RSF discussions are ongoing at the government-to-government level,” Baek said. “We are supporting the South Korean defense ministry, and Hanwha stands ready to deliver once a decision is made.”
Despite the recent change in the U.S. administration, Baek said the RSF remains on track under President Donald Trump, as the program’s efficiency-driven framework aligns with the current White House priorities.
“Unlike other federal programs that have shifted, RSF is proceeding because it supports efficiency goals in line with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump,” he said.
The company is also weighing the potential impact of U.S. tariff policies under Trump, given that disruptions in raw material imports could worsen global supply chain volatility, an issue directly linked to the timely delivery of critical aircraft components.
“The biggest risk is not the repair work itself, but the availability of parts,” Baek said. “If tariffs disrupt raw material flows, the entire supply chain is at risk.”
If needed, Hanwha said it is willing to repurpose its preexisting smart factory in Changwon, currently used for commercial engines, to support military engine MRO under the RSF.
In terms of capacity, Hanwha’s engineering team said they are fully prepared to meet expected demand.
“For engines like the F100 and T700, we can support production of more than four modules per month,” Shin Phil-seong, senior manager of Hanwha’s aero engineering team, said.
Hanwha Aerospace hopes its business track record, smart facility investments and readiness to support U.S. forces will strengthen its place in the Pentagon’s evolving global sustainment strategy involving weapons systems, and elevate South Korea’s role as a maintenance hub for regional security efforts among the allies.
(Yonhap)
