Lockheed Martin Signs Strategic Partnership Framework with Korean Air

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Lockheed Martin is collaborating with Korean Air to explore opportunities to support the U.S. government’s (USG) Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) initiative, as well as expand Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade (MROU) cooperation to third-country markets.

Korean Air announced at the 2025 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX), it signed a strategic partnership framework with Lockheed Martin, which combines Korean Air’s 40+ years of U.S. depot-level maintenance expertise with Lockheed Martin’s role as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of core U.S. defense assets, beginning with the F-16.

For more than seven decades, Lockheed Martin has been supporting the core capabilities of Korea’s ‘Three- Axis System defense framework’ with advanced products, such as F-35 and F-16, C-130J transport aircraft, Aegis, Patriot (PAC-3), and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

By bringing together two leading aerospace companies, Korean Air and Lockheed Martin’s collaboration can significantly enhance the defense readiness of both the U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) through timely sustainment of military aircraft and contribute to the overall ROK-U.S. alliance.

A joint statement from Korean Air and Lockheed Martin noted: “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 ROK Air Force has relied on the F-16 Fighting Falcon since the 1980s as its mainstay fighter, playing a central role in air defense.

Since 2019, the ROK has introduced the F-35A, becoming a world-class air force with next-generation capabilities. Its supersonic stealth performance and network-centric warfare capabilities maximize the effectiveness of combined ROK-U.S. operations, significantly enhancing interoperability. Beyond supplying advanced platforms, Lockheed Martin is shaping the future battlespace paradigm and solidifying its role as a strategic partner that strengthens U.S.-ROK airpower cooperation through the F-16 and F-35.

Korean Air’s Experience with U.S. Military Platforms

Over the past 50 years, Korean Air has led aircraft system development, production, maintenance, and upgrade programs, establishing itself as a top-tier Korean aerospace and defense company. Korean Air has carried out depot-level maintenance and upgrade projects for more than 3,700 U.S. military aircraft across the Indo-Pacific, including F-16, F-15, UH/HH-60, CH-53, and A-10.

Since 2021, Korean Air has successfully executed the U.S. Forces Japan F-16 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), with over 100 aircraft expected to be completed in the coming years. In addition, the company has conducted depot maintenance and upgrades for UH/HH-60 and CH-53 helicopters, accumulating extensive experience on Lockheed Martin rotorcraft deployed in Okinawa and mainland Japan.