Cho Hyun-chul (L), head of Korean Air’s military aircraft division, and Steve Sheehy, vice president of Lockheed Martin for sustainment operations, shake hands at a partnership framework signing ceremony at KINTEX in Goyang, northwest of Seoul, on Oct. 22, 2025, in this photo provided by (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – Korean Air Co. signed a partnership framework with U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. on Wednesday to provide follow-on maintenance support for U.S. military aircraft, expanding its role as a key maintenance partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
A signing ceremony for the framework took place at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 under way in Goyang, northwest of Seoul. It was attended by Cho Hyun-chul, head of Korean Air’s military aircraft division, and Steve Sheehy, vice president of Lockheed Martin for sustainment operations.
The agreement aims to support the timely sustainment of U.S. military assets deployed in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
It is in line with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) strategy, which seeks to improve military readiness by shifting equipment maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work to allied partners in the region.
Korean Air was ranked No. 1 in a comprehensive evaluation of over 350 airlines worldwide based on various criteria, including safety, product ratings, passenger reviews, fleet age and environmental commitment Image courtesy of Yonhap)
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Korean Air is considered a strong partner for the RSF program due to its strategic location, advanced technical capabilities and decades of experience.
The company said it is the only firm in South Korea capable of providing MRO and upgrades for more than 3,700 U.S. military aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region, including F-15 and F-16 fighter jets.
Korean Air said it also plans to expand the partnership to third countries that operate Lockheed Martin aircraft, seeking new export and defense market opportunities.
“This agreement marks an important step in strengthening cooperation with the United States and allied countries,” a Korean Air official said. “With more than 50 years of accumulated technology and infrastructure, we will contribute to enhancing the global standing of Korea’s defense industry.”
(Yonhap)
