Defense & Military
Korean Air and Lockheed Martin Partner to Enhance Indo Pacific Military Readiness
Korean Air and Lockheed Martin join forces to improve U.S. military aircraft maintenance and readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a significant move to enhance military operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, Korean Air Co. has signed a partnership framework with U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. The agreement, formalized on October 22, 2025, at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, establishes a collaborative effort for the MRO of U.S. military aircraft. This strategic alliance is not merely a business transaction; it represents a deepening of the defense ties between the United States and South Korea, positioning Korean Air as a pivotal MRO partner in a region of increasing strategic importance.
The partnership aligns directly with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF), a strategic initiative designed to improve the efficiency and readiness of overseas military assets by leveraging the industrial capabilities of key allied nations. By entrusting a greater share of maintenance responsibilities to partners like Korean Air, the U.S. aims to reduce the time and costs associated with transporting aircraft back to the mainland for service, thereby ensuring a higher state of readiness for its deployed forces. This collaboration underscores the trust placed in South Korea’s advanced defense infrastructure and technical expertise, marking a new chapter in the nation’s role as a key U.S. ally.
The agreement signed at ADEX 2025 is more than a handshake; it’s a detailed framework for action. The ceremony was attended by key figures including Cho Hyun-chul, head of Korean Air’s military aircraft division, and Steve Sheehy, Vice President of Sustainment Operations at Lockheed Martin, signifying the high level of commitment from both organizations. The core purpose of the agreement is to provide comprehensive, follow-on maintenance and logistics support for a wide range of U.S. military assets, including those operated by the Air Force, Navy, and Army throughout the Indo-Pacific region and for third-country operations.
The RSF is a foundational element of the U.S. military’s global logistics strategy. Its primary goal is to create a network of maintenance hubs in strategic locations, utilizing the capabilities of trusted allies to streamline sustainment operations. This approach is designed to cut the significant time and expense involved in transporting military assets across the Pacific for repairs and upgrades. By performing this work closer to the area of operations, the U.S. can maintain its forces at the highest level of readiness, a critical factor in a dynamic geopolitical landscape.
Participation in the RSF initiative is a significant endorsement of a nation’s technical capabilities and its strategic relationship with the United States. As one Korean Air official noted, such programs are “typically reserved for the United States’ closest partners.” This highlights the strategic trust and confidence the U.S. places in South Korea’s defense industry. The partnership allows the U.S. military to leverage Korean Air’s geographical advantage and advanced infrastructure, ensuring that aircraft can be serviced and returned to duty with maximum efficiency.
The collaboration is expected to ensure the timely deployment of U.S. military aircraft, directly improving operational capabilities across the region. By establishing a robust MRO hub in South Korea, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Department of Defense are building a more resilient and responsive logistics chain, capable of supporting complex operations far from home.
“Our participation underscores recognition of Korean Air’s world-class maintenance and modification capabilities.” – Korean Air Official
Korean Air’s selection as a key partner is no coincidence. The company brings over five decades of extensive experience in the aerospace and defense sector. It has a long and proven track record of providing full-spectrum MRO and upgrade services for U.S. military aircraft. The company has serviced more than 3,700 U.S. military aircraft operating in the Indo-Pacific, including sophisticated fighter jets like the F-15 and F-16. This deep well of experience makes it a natural fit for the demands of the RSF strategy.
The company’s technical proficiency is further demonstrated by its involvement in Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). This complex program involves significant structural reinforcement work to extend the operational lifespan of each jet, showcasing Korean Air’s advanced modification and overhaul capabilities. This existing relationship and proven performance on high-stakes projects undoubtedly paved the way for this expanded partnership. Beyond its technical skills, Korean Air’s strategic location in the Indo-Pacific provides a distinct geographical advantage. This proximity to key operational areas allows for more efficient and timely maintenance cycles, a critical component of the RSF’s objectives. The combination of location, technical capacity, and decades of hands-on experience makes Korean Air an optimal partner for this strategic U.S. initiative.
This partnership framework is poised to generate significant long-term benefits for all parties involved. For the U.S. military, it ensures enhanced readiness and a more efficient, resilient sustainment network in a critical region. For Lockheed Martin, it strengthens its global support network, ensuring its platforms are well-maintained wherever they operate. For Korean Air, the agreement opens substantial new market opportunities, not only in supporting U.S. assets but also in extending MRO services to third countries that operate Lockheed Martin aircraft. This will likely broaden the company’s footprint in the global defense and export markets.
On a broader scale, this collaboration solidifies South Korea’s position as a linchpin of regional security and a vital U.S. ally. By taking on a greater role in the sustainment of U.S. military power, South Korea is deepening its defense cooperation and contributing directly to stability in the Indo-Pacific. As a Korean Air official stated, the goal is to leverage the company’s expertise to “elevate the global standing of South Korea’s defense industry.” This agreement is a clear and powerful step in that direction, signaling a future of deeper integration and shared strategic objectives.
Question: What is the main goal of the Korean Air and Lockheed Martin partnership? Question: What is the U.S. Department of Defense’s Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF)? Question: Why is Korean Air considered a strong partner for this initiative? Sources: The Korea Herald
Korean Air and Lockheed Martin Forge Strategic Alliance to Bolster U.S. Military Readiness
A Framework for Enhanced Regional Security
The U.S. Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF)
Korean Air’s Five-Decade Legacy in Defense
Concluding Section: Future Horizons and Strategic Implications
FAQ
Answer: The primary goal is to establish a partnership for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of U.S. military aircraft deployed in the Indo-Pacific region. This aims to enhance military readiness, ensure timely deployment, and streamline logistics.
Answer: The RSF is a U.S. strategy to improve military readiness by shifting equipment maintenance and repair work to allied partners in strategic overseas locations. This reduces the time and cost of sending assets back to the U.S. for servicing.
Answer: Korean Air is considered a strong partner due to its strategic geographical location, advanced technical capabilities, and over 50 years of experience in maintaining U.S. military aircraft, having serviced over 3,700 aircraft, including F-15 and F-16 jets.
Photo Credit: The Korea Herald
Defense & Military
Embraer and Saab Unveil First Gripen E Fighter Produced in Brazil
Embraer and Saab unveiled the first Gripen E fighter jet assembled in Brazil, enhancing local defense manufacturing and fulfilling a 2014 contract.
This article is based on an official press release from Embraer.
On March 25, 2026, Embraer, Saab, and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) marked a historic milestone in Latin American aerospace by unveiling the first Gripen E fighter jet manufactured on Brazilian soil. The rollout ceremony took place at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State, officially introducing the first supersonic fighter aircraft ever produced in the country.
According to the official press release, the event drew high-profile attendees, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Swedish Ambassador Karin Wallensteen, and top executives from both Embraer and Saab. The presentation of the aircraft highlights a successful technology transfer program and elevates Brazil into a select group of nations capable of manufacturing advanced combat aircraft.
The newly unveiled Gripen E is the result of a deeply integrated Brazilian and international supply chain. Embraer’s Gavião Peixoto facility handles the final assembly, utilizing aerostructures manufactured at Saab’s plant in São Bernardo do Campo. According to Embraer, 14 additional aircraft will be built using this exact production model under the current FAB contract.
Before being handed over to the customer, the newly assembled fighter will undergo rigorous functional and production flight testing. Once cleared, it will join the First Defense Group (1st GDA) stationed at the Anápolis Air Force Base.
Company leadership emphasized the broader implications of the rollout. In the press release, Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, highlighted the collaborative effort:
“…it symbolizes the strength of a partnership built on trust, long‑term vision, and true cooperation.”
The foundation for this manufacturing achievement was laid in 2014 when the Brazilian government signed a comprehensive contract with Saab. The agreement covers the development and production of 36 Gripen fighters, specifically 28 single-seat Gripen E models and eight two-seat Gripen F variants.
Deliveries from Sweden began in 2020, and the press release notes that at least 10 aircraft have already been handed over to the Brazilian Air Force. The Gripen fleet is already active; since February, the fighters have been executing Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions from the Anápolis Air Force Base to safeguard the airspace over Brazil’s federal district. Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, noted the strategic importance of the local production capability, stating in the release:
“…developing, within Brazil, the capability to produce a high-tech supersonic fighter aircraft – fully capable of executing air superiority missions…”
We view the successful rollout of a domestically assembled Gripen E as a transformative moment for Embraer and the Brazilian defense sector. By proving it can assemble and integrate a sophisticated, network-centric supersonic fighter, Embraer significantly enhances its high-end military manufacturing portfolio. This capability not only fulfills Brazil’s immediate national security and airspace defense needs but also positions the Gavião Peixoto facility as a potential regional export and maintenance hub for South America. As neighboring countries evaluate their aging fighter fleets, we believe Brazil’s proven production line could offer Saab a strategic foothold for future Latin American sales.
Where was the first Brazilian-made Gripen E produced? How many Gripen fighters did Brazil order? How many more Gripens will be built in Brazil?
Production and Strategic Partnership
Details of the Gavião Peixoto Facility
Contract History and Operational Status
The 2014 Agreement
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The aircraft was assembled at Embraer’s industrial complex in Gavião Peixoto, São Paulo State, using components including aerostructures from Saab’s facility in São Bernardo do Campo.
Under a 2014 contract, the Brazilian government ordered 36 Gripen fighters, comprising 28 single-seat Gripen E jets and 8 two-seat Gripen F jets.
According to the Embraer press release, 14 additional aircraft will be produced at the Gavião Peixoto facility under the current contract.
Sources
Photo Credit: Embraer
Defense & Military
Japan Expands F-35B Fleet with Delivery to Nyutabaru Air Base
Japan received three F-35B fighters at Nyutabaru Air Base, advancing its goal to deploy eight F-35Bs by fiscal year 2025 end.
In late March 2026, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) received three additional F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters at Nyutabaru Air Base in Miyazaki Prefecture. According to social media account @thef35 on X, the delivery highlights that procurement
“momentum continues” for the Japanese defense forces.
This latest arrival is a critical milestone. Based on defense research data, the delivery keeps Japan’s Ministry of Defense on track to meet its goal of deploying an initial batch of eight F-35Bs by the end of fiscal year 2025, which concludes on March 31, 2026. Japan received its first three F-35Bs on August 7, 2025, ferried by U.S. pilots, and officially activated the fleet for frontline service during a ceremony on February 7, 2026.
The integration of the Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft represents a historic shift in Japan’s defense posture. Defense reports indicate Japan plans to acquire 147 F-35s in total, 105 conventional F-35As and 42 F-35Bs, making it the largest operator of the fifth-generation fighter outside the United States.
While the F-35Bs are operated by the JASDF, defense analysts note their primary strategic value lies in their integration with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
To accommodate the STOVL aircraft, Japan has been modifying its two largest warships, the Izumo-class helicopter destroyers JS Izumo and JS Kaga. According to defense research, these modifications include reshaping the bows into a rectangular configuration and applying heat-resistant deck coatings capable of withstanding the F-35B’s powerful lift fan.
These upgrades were put to the test recently. In October 2024, a U.S. Navy and Marine Corps F-35B successfully conducted the first landing and takeoff trials on the modified JS Kaga off the coast of San Diego, California. This milestone effectively proved the vessel’s capability to operate as a light aircraft carrier, returning fixed-wing carrier aviation to the Japanese fleet for the first time since World War II.
Japan’s acquisition of the F-35B is widely viewed by defense researchers as a direct response to a tightening regional security environment, particularly the rapid military modernization and maritime maneuvers of China in the East and South China Seas. Nyutabaru Air Base is strategically located on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island. Defense reports highlight that this positions the F-35B fleet in close proximity to the Nansei Islands chain, which stretches toward Taiwan and includes the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands. The STOVL capability allows Japan to project air power from the sea and operate from shorter, austere runways on remote islands.
Under its post-WWII pacifist constitution, Japan has historically maintained a strictly defensive military posture. The deployment of carrier-capable stealth fighters represents a shift toward what defense analysts term “active deterrence.” To navigate political sensitivities regarding offensive capabilities, the Japanese government officially classifies the Izumo and Kaga as “multi-functional destroyers” rather than aircraft carriers.
Despite the strategic momentum, the domestic rollout of the F-35B fleet has faced logistical and political hurdles.
According to defense research data, Japan is constructing a dedicated runway and training facility on the uninhabited island of Mageshima, located roughly 160 kilometers south of Nyutabaru. This facility is intended for F-35B Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) and vertical landing drills.
However, the Mageshima project has been delayed until approximately 2029 or 2030. Consequently, routine vertical landing training must be conducted at Nyutabaru Airports in the interim. This temporary arrangement has triggered protests and concerns from local residents in Miyazaki Prefecture regarding severe aircraft noise pollution.
We view the successful delivery of these F-35Bs as more than just a national defense upgrade for Japan; it is a foundational step for allied interoperability in the Indo-Pacific. By operating the F-35B from modified destroyers, Japan ensures seamless integration with U.S. Navy and Marine Corps forces, as well as other allied operators like the United Kingdom and Italy. This opens the door for future cross-decking operations, where allied jets can land on Japanese ships and vice versa, creating a highly flexible, distributed maritime strike capability that complicates adversary planning in the region.
According to defense procurement data, Japan plans to acquire a total of 147 F-35 military-aircraft, consisting of 105 F-35A conventional takeoff variants and 42 F-35B STOVL variants.
The F-35B features Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from amphibious assault ships, light aircraft carriers, and short or austere runways. To align with its post-WWII pacifist constitution, which limits offensive military capabilities, Japan officially classifies the modified Izumo-class vessels as “multi-functional destroyers” rather than aircraft carriers.
Sources: @thef35, Defense Research Report
Japan Expands F-35B Fleet with Latest Delivery to Nyutabaru Air Base
Strategic Shift: The “Lightning Carriers”
Vessel Modifications and Sea Trials
Geopolitical Drivers and Regional Defense
Defending the Nansei Islands
Domestic Challenges and Infrastructure
Local Impact at Nyutabaru
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many F-35s is Japan buying?
What makes the F-35B different?
Why are Japan’s carrier-capable ships called destroyers?
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
GKN Aerospace Delivers First Upgraded RM12 Engine to Swedish Armed Forces
GKN Aerospace delivers the first upgraded RM12 engine under a £32 million programme enhancing Sweden’s Gripen C/D fighter fleet performance and endurance.
This article is based on an official press release from GKN Aerospace.
GKN Aerospace has officially delivered the first upgraded RM12 engine to the Swedish Armed Forces, marking a critical milestone in the RM12 Enhanced Performance (RM12EP) programme. The delivery is part of a broader initiative to modernize the propulsion systems of Sweden’s JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter fleet.
According to a company press release, the RM12EP programme is valued at approximately £32 million (SEK 400 million). The initiative focuses on increasing engine thrust, extending operational endurance, and improving overall efficiency to ensure the legacy fighter aircraft remain highly capable in modern operational environments.
The successful handover of the first enhanced engine underscores GKN Aerospace’s nearly century-long partnership with the Swedish Air Force. As the type certificate holder for the RM12 engine, the company continues to play a central role in maintaining Sweden’s aerial defense readiness.
The RM12EP upgrade introduces significant technical improvements to the existing powerplants. In its official statement, GKN Aerospace noted that the enhancements include the installation of improved turbine hardware alongside updated engine control software. These modifications are specifically designed to boost engine thrust and extend the operating time of the engines, while simultaneously reducing life cycle costs for the Swedish Armed Forces.
The RM12EP programme was originally launched in 2019. It represents a long-term strategic effort led by GKN Aerospace to ensure that the Gripen C/D remains a cost-efficient and highly capable platform, even as newer generations of fighter aircraft enter service.
All upgrade work for the RM12 engines is being conducted at GKN Aerospace’s specialized facility in Trollhättan, Sweden. The company maintains comprehensive responsibility for the development, manufacturing, system support, and maintenance of both the RM12 engine, which powers the Gripen C/D, and the newer RM16 engine, which is utilized in the advanced Gripen E/F models.
The delivery of the first upgraded unit was achieved through extensive cross-functional collaboration. GKN Aerospace highlighted that the milestone involved coordination across engineering, production, quality assurance, procurement, and logistics departments. Furthermore, the project relies on key partnerships with industry leaders GE and Saab. Additional upgraded engines are scheduled to be delivered continuously to the Swedish Armed Forces in accordance with the programme’s planned timeline. “This first upgraded engine delivery represents an important step forward in enhancing the performance and endurance of the Gripen system. As type certificate holder for the Gripen C/D engine and with a partnership with the Swedish Air Force that spans nearly a century, we are proud to continue supporting Sweden’s operational capability and future readiness.”
We note that the delivery of the first upgraded RM12 engine highlights a broader trend in global defense procurement: the necessity of extending the operational lifespan of proven legacy platforms. While the Swedish Air Force is actively transitioning to the next-generation Gripen E/F, maintaining a robust and capable fleet of Gripen C/D aircraft remains essential for national security and regional stability.
By investing £32 million into the RM12EP programme, Sweden is ensuring a cost-effective bridge between aircraft generations. The enhancements to thrust and endurance not only improve the tactical capabilities of the Gripen C/D but also optimize maintenance schedules and reduce long-term operational costs. This dual-track approach, upgrading existing assets while procuring new ones, allows the Swedish Armed Forces to maintain a high state of readiness without compromising on technological advancement.
Furthermore, keeping the upgrade work localized at the Trollhättan facility secures domestic aerospace expertise and supply chain resilience. As geopolitical tensions in Europe remain a focal point for defense ministries, the ability to independently maintain and upgrade critical defense infrastructure is a significant strategic advantage for Sweden.
The RM12 Enhanced Performance (RM12EP) programme is an upgrade initiative led by GKN Aerospace for the Swedish Armed Forces. Launched in 2019, it aims to improve the thrust, endurance, and efficiency of the RM12 engines powering the JAS 39 Gripen C/D fighter aircraft.
According to GKN Aerospace, the programme is valued at approximately £32 million, which equates to SEK 400 million.
All development, manufacturing, and maintenance work for the RM12 engine upgrades is carried out at GKN Aerospace’s facility in Trollhättan, Sweden.
The RM12EP programme involves strong collaboration between GKN Aerospace and key industry partners, including GE and Saab.
The RM12EP Upgrade Programme
Technical Enhancements
Production and Partnerships
Strategic Implications for the Swedish Air Force
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RM12EP programme?
How much is the RM12EP programme worth?
Where is the upgrade work being performed?
Who are the key partners in this programme?
Sources
Photo Credit: GKN Aerospace
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