Korean Air, Lockheed Martin to Maintain US Military Aircraft in Asia

Korean Air has signed a partnership framework with Lockheed Martin to maintain and repair American military aircraft stationed across the Indo-Pacific.

Announced in Goyang, the deal supports the Pentagon’s Regional Sustainment Framework, which aims to improve combat readiness by moving plane repairs and upgrades closer to where US and allied forces operate.

The signing ceremony was attended by Cho Hyun-chul, head of Korean Air’s military aircraft division, and Steve Sheehy, Lockheed’s vice president for sustainment operations.

Through the agreement, Korean Air will have broader coverage in servicing US airplanes, including F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, while exploring maintenance opportunities in other countries that use Lockheed Martin equipment.

Currently, Korean Air is the only company in the East Asian country able to perform large-scale maintenance and upgrade work for US aircraft in the region.

It has serviced over 3,700 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft across the Indo-Pacific. The airline has also supported the US Air Force’s F-16 Service Life Extension Program, which prolongs each jet’s lifespan by reinforcing its structure.

Meanwhile, Lockheed has supplied South Korea with key defense systems for decades, including F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, C-130J transport planes, and Aegis and Patriot missile systems.

Strengthening US-Korea Defense Ties

The companies said the collaboration aims to keep US and allied aircraft mission-ready while cutting costs, speeding up repairs, and ultimately strengthening the defense partnership between the two nations.

“This agreement marks an important step in strengthening cooperation with the United States and allied countries,” Yonhap reported, quoting a Korean Air official as saying.

“With more than 50 years of accumulated technology and infrastructure, we will contribute to enhancing the global standing of Korea’s defense industry.”