South Korean consortium selected for F-35 MRO

A consortium of South Korean aerospace companies has been selected by the US government to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced.

DAPA said in a statement on 13 February that the consortium – termed by DAPA as ‘Team ROK’ – includes Hanwha Systems, Hanwha Aerospace, Korean Air Aerospace Division, LIG Nex1, and logistics specialist Hyundai Glovis.

DAPA said it was notified of the decision by the US Department of Defense (DoD). It added that the selection of Team ROK followed a review undertaken by the DoD of proposals to expand MRO involvement in the F-35 programme by countries involved in developing the aircraft and by countries committed to procuring the platform.

DAPA said that Team ROK has been allocated responsibility to provide MRO services in support of components and systems across three areas: avionics, “machinery and electronics”, and in-flight egress systems, adding that the decision supports local industry’s efforts to gain access to the F-35 global supply chain and, at a wider level, to boost the country’s defence exports.

“DAPA is promoting innovation to transform domestic defence companies into a competitive export-oriented industry,” it said. “The selection of [Team ROK] is a success story that shows the way for the defence industry to move forward.”