Korea, US select CH-47 helicopter engine for joint MRO project
A CH-47 Chinook helicopter takes part in Korea-U.S. combined drills in the border county of Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, March 20, 2024. Yonhap
Korea and the United States have agreed to launch a pilot maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) project for the engine of the CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter, as part of efforts to bolster their arms cooperation, Seoul's defense ministry said Tuesday.
Defense authorities from both countries designated the project during a regular logistics cooperation meeting held in Seoul earlier in the day, according to the ministry.
Under the agreement, Korean companies will carry out MRO services for the U.S. helicopter engine domestically.
Extending on the meeting, officials from both sides will make a three-day visit to Korean defense firms this week to explore additional opportunities for cooperation, beyond the pilot project and ongoing MRO services in naval shipbuilding.
"By conducting maintenance of the U.S. CH-47 engine in Korea, it is anticipated to expand Korean firms' participation in MRO services as well as to enhance the Korea-U.S. alliance and their combined combat readiness posture," the ministry said.
The pilot project is the first MRO cooperation the U.S. is conducting in the area of military aircraft, following the announcement of the regional sustainment framework initiative, under which Washington seeks to optimize regional MRO through collaboration with allies and partners, it added.