Partnerships in Flight: GE Aerospace and South Korea Deepen 60-Year Alliance

For over six decades, the relationship between South Korea and GE Aerospace has served as a cornerstone of the nation’s defense capabilities. What began in the 1950s with the supply of engines for F-86 Sabres has evolved into a sophisticated industrial partnership that underpins South Korea’s rapid ascent as a global aerospace powerhouse. According to a December 2025 release from GE Aerospace, this collaboration has now expanded beyond aviation into naval propulsion, signaling a new era of technological integration.

As of late 2025, South Korea operates the largest fleet of GE military engines outside the United States, with more than 1,500 engines currently in service. This massive install base supports a wide array of platforms, from the indigenous KUH-1 Surion helicopter to the advanced KF-21 Boramae fighter. The partnership, primarily executed through local industry leader Hanwha Aerospace, has shifted from a traditional vendor-client model to a strategic co-development framework, essential for Seoul’s ambitions to secure technological sovereignty.

From Assembly to Strategic Autonomy

The trajectory of South Korea’s aerospace industry is defined by its transition from importing hardware to licensing production and, ultimately, developing indigenous systems. GE Aerospace highlights that its collaboration with Hanwha Aerospace is central to this strategy. Hanwha, the nation’s primary gas turbine engine specialist, licenses and produces GE engines domestically, ensuring supply chain security and technical knowledge transfer.

Key pillars of this ongoing collaboration include:

• The KF-21 Boramae: South Korea’s flagship 4.5-generation fighter, now in initial mass production, is powered by two F414-GE-400K engines. These engines are assembled locally by Hanwha, providing the thrust necessary for the aircraft to compete in the global export market against established rivals.
• The T-50 Golden Eagle: A highly successful trainer and light combat aircraft powered by the F404 engine. The platform has seen significant export success, further integrating the GE-Hanwha supply chain into global defense markets.
• The KUH-1 Surion: Korea’s indigenous utility Helicopters utilizes the T700 turboshaft engine, a staple of the partnership’s rotorcraft segment.

In October 2025, Hanwha Aerospace secured a new contract for additional T700 and F404 engine kits to support continued production of the Surion and T-50, reaffirming the longevity of these programs.

Expanding Horizons: The Naval Propulsion Deal

While aviation remains the primary focus, the partnership recently expanded into the maritime domain. During the Seoul ADEX 2025 in October, GE Aerospace and Hanwha Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop marine gas turbine packages.

According to the company’s statement, this agreement aims to adapt GE’s gas turbine technology for South Korea’s next-generation naval destroyers. This move leverages Hanwha’s manufacturing capabilities to localize naval propulsion systems, mirroring the successful model used in the aviation sector.

“The partnership has evolved from simple hardware supply to deep technological collaboration.”

, GE Aerospace Press Release

Commercial Aviation and Fleet Modernization

Beyond the defense sector, the Commercial-Aircraft landscape in South Korea is also undergoing significant modernization. Korean Air, a key industrial partner, solidified plans in 2025 to introduce Boeing 777-9 and 787-10 aircraft to its fleet. These next-generation widebodies are powered by GE9X and GEnx engines, respectively.

Furthermore, Korean Air has adopted GE Aerospace’s “Safety Insight” flight data monitoring system. This technology utilizes advanced analytics to enhance operational safety across the carrier’s fleet, demonstrating that the collaboration extends into software and safety management systems as well as hardware.

AirPro News Analysis: The Drive for Independence

While the “Partners in Flight” narrative celebrates a robust alliance, AirPro News notes that South Korea’s long-term strategic goal remains total technological independence. The current relationship with GE Aerospace can be viewed as a vital bridge toward that future.

The South Korean government, through the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), has announced a roadmap to develop a completely indigenous turbofan engine for fighter jets by the late 2030s. This project, led by Hanwha Aerospace, aims to produce a 15,000 lb-thrust class engine. Achieving this would allow South Korea to export fighter jets without being subject to foreign export control restrictions (such as U.S. ITAR regulations), which currently govern platforms using GE engines.

Additionally, the establishment of the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) in 2024 and the “Space Economy” vision, backed by a projected $70 billion investment by 2045, underscores Seoul’s intent to become a top-5 global space power. Hanwha Aerospace’s designation as the system integrator for the KSLV-III launch vehicle further cements its role as the “SpaceX of Korea,” moving the industry gradually away from reliance on international partners for core technologies.

For now, however, the symbiosis is mutually beneficial: GE Aerospace secures a dominant position in a growing market, while South Korea gains the reliable, high-performance propulsion systems needed to fuel its rapid ascent as a premier arms exporter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary engine used in the KF-21 fighter?

The KF-21 Boramae is powered by two F414-GE-400K engines, which are assembled locally in South Korea by Hanwha Aerospace.

How large is GE Aerospace’s footprint in South Korea?

South Korea operates the largest fleet of GE military engines outside of the United States, with over 1,500 engines in service across various platforms.

What is the goal of the recent Naval MoU?

Signed in October 2025, the MoU between GE Aerospace and Hanwha Aerospace focuses on the joint development of marine gas turbine packages for South Korean naval vessels.

Sources

• GE Aerospace
• Hanwha Aerospace
• DAPA