Lockheed Martin and Korean Air have signed a strategic partnership framework to explore joint opportunities in support of the U.S. government’s Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) initiative and expand Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade (MROU) cooperation into third-country markets.
The agreement was announced during the 2025 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX). The collaboration aims to combine Korean Air’s four decades of experience in U.S. depot-level maintenance with Lockheed Martin’s role as the Original Equipment Manufacturer for key U.S. defense assets, starting with the F-16 fighter jet.
For more than seventy years, Lockheed Martin has provided advanced products such as the F-35 and F-16 fighters, C-130J transport aircraft, Aegis systems, Patriot (PAC-3) missiles, and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to support Korea’s defense capabilities. The new partnership is expected to improve military aircraft sustainment for both the United States and South Korea while contributing to their alliance.
In a joint statement, Korean Air and Lockheed Martin said: “This MROU partnership framework is a core project that contributes to the ROK-U.S. alliance by bringing together two leading aerospace companies from both nations. With over 40 years of accumulated expertise in ROK and U.S. programs, combined with Lockheed Martin’s advanced platforms, Korean Air is committed to leading timely force readiness for U.S. and allied militaries and elevating the global stature of Korea’s defense industry.”
The Republic of Korea Air Force has used the F-16 Fighting Falcon since the 1980s as its primary fighter aircraft. Since 2019, it has also introduced the F-35A stealth fighter, enhancing its operational capabilities and interoperability with U.S. forces.
Korean Air has been involved in system development, production, maintenance, and upgrades for more than 3,700 U.S. military aircraft across the Indo-Pacific region over five decades. This includes work on F-16s, F-15s, UH/HH-60 helicopters, CH-53 helicopters, and A-10 aircraft.
Since 2021, Korean Air has managed service life extension programs for U.S. Forces Japan's F-16 fleet and performed depot maintenance on various helicopter models deployed in Okinawa and mainland Japan.
Lockheed Martin describes itself as a global defense technology company focused on delivering mission solutions and transformative technologies.
