In a significant move to bolster defense capabilities and international cooperation, Lockheed Martin and Korean Air have announced a new strategic partnership framework. The collaboration, unveiled at the 2025 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX), aims to leverage the unique strengths of both aerospace leaders to enhance military readiness and expand their global footprint.
The core of the partnership focuses on two key areas: supporting the U.S. government’s Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) initiative and jointly pursuing Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade (MROU) opportunities in third-country markets. This alliance strategically combines Lockheed Martin’s role as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for critical U.S. defense platforms with Korean Air’s extensive four decades of experience in U.S. depot-level maintenance.
The collaboration will initially center on the F-16 fighter jet, a mainstay of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Air Force. Lockheed Martin has been a foundational partner in Korea’s defense for over 70 years, supplying advanced assets like the F-35 and F-16 fighters, C-130J transport aircraft, Aegis combat systems, and Patriot (PAC-3) missiles. By integrating Korean Air’s deep maintenance expertise with these advanced platforms, the partnership is poised to ensure the timely sustainment of military aircraft, directly enhancing the defense readiness of both the U.S. and the ROK.
In a joint statement, the companies highlighted that the MROU framework is a “core project that contributes to the ROK-U.S. alliance.” They emphasized that Korean Air’s 40+ years of accumulated expertise, fused with Lockheed Martin’s technology, will help lead force readiness for allied militaries and elevate the global stature of Korea’s defense industry.
Korean Air brings a formidable track record to the table, having performed depot-level maintenance and upgrades on more than 3,700 U.S. military aircraft across the Indo-Pacific, including the F-16, F-15, and various helicopters. Since 2021, the company has been successfully executing the U.S. Forces Japan F-16 Service Life Extension Program, with over 100 aircraft slated for completion. This proven experience with Lockheed Martin rotorcraft and fighters deployed in Japan provides a solid foundation for the partnership’s future ambitions, positioning the duo as a powerful team for global defense sustainment.
