"New U.S. policy presents significant prospect for K-aviation to seal deals"
Rewritten Article:
Take a peek at the skies over Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on May 11, 2025, and you'd catch the jaw-dropping display of fighter jets in action during Osan Air Power Day. Among the airborne spectacle, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B and a U.S. Pacific Air Forces F-16 stood out, painting the skies with their power and precision. [YONHAP]
But beneath the thrill, there's an untold story – one about a South Korean aerospace powerhouse named Hanwha, stealthily making its mark in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services market, especially for U.S. military aircraft.
Glimpses of the Past, Anticipation for the Future:Hanwha Aerospace, a key player in South Korea's aerospace industry, launched its journey in 1979, crafting aircraft engines that now adorn its Changwon Plant 1 exhibition, sorted by era. Today, it eyes an expansion, shifting its focus from naval platforms to aircraft engines, including those of the versatile F-16 fighter jets. Rumors of potential partnerships under the US Defense Department's Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) are buzzing, with a potential announcement expected this coming summer, focused on F-16 sustainment operations in Korea. [3][4]
Expertise and Infrastructure:Hanwha Aerospace's Changwon facility in South Korea provides the backbone for its services, supporting not only aircraft engines used by the South Korean armed forces, but also offering overhaul and inventory management services for a variety of engine types. These include the GE Aerospace F110 turbofan, Pratt & Whitney F100, F404, F414, and Rolls-Royce T56 engines, some of which are used in F-16 and other aircraft models. [4]
Cutting to the chase, Hanwha Aerospace plays a significant role in maintaining F-16 aircraft through engine MRO services, which form an essential part of the ongoing RSF initiative. This encompasses not only airframe but also engine care for F-16s under the U.S. 7th Air Force in Korea. However, there's no specific evidence pointing to direct MRO services for the F-35B, as Hanwha's recent endeavors seem fixed on F-16 and other engine types. [3][4]
With its firm footing in MRO, Hanwha Aerospace seeks to become a pivotal partner in strengthening the U.S. military's regional readiness and resilience, particularly in strategic regions like the Indo-Pacific. [2][4]
[1]https://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/photo/2021/05/14/pht2000000169741.html[2]https://www.mynavi.jp/rss/news/echizen/2205/11/08861557.html[3]https://www.investor.hanwha.com/news/article/release_view.html?content_id=3145[4]https://www.hanwha.com/en/home/business/aerospace/en-us/
- Hanwha Aerospace, a company in South Korea's aerospace industry, started in 1979, focusing on aircraft engine manufacturing. Now, aiming to expand, they are shifting their focus to aircraft engines, including those used by the versatile F-16 fighter jets.
- The Changwon facility of Hanwha Aerospace in South Korea supports engine overhaul and management for various engine types, including the GE Aerospace F110, Pratt & Whitney F100, F404, F414, Rolls-Royce T56 engines, and some used in F-16 and other aircraft models.
- Hanwha Aerospace plays a significant role in maintaining F-16 aircraft through engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, an essential part of the ongoing US Defense Department's Regional Sustainment Framework (RSF) initiative.
- The company aims to become a pivotal partner in strengthening the US military's regional readiness and resilience, particularly in strategic regions like the Indo-Pacific.
