Boeing and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Republic of Korea (ROK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly research, develop, and market advanced weapons systems of mutual interest.
Ted Colbert, President and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, signed the MOU with DAPA Minister Eom Donghwan.
“For over 70 years Boeing has been committed to its partnership with Korea,” said Colbert. “This agreement aligns with Boeing and DAPA’s common interest of establishing a strategic partnership to support the U.S.-ROK alliance.”
“This joint effort will have a positive impact on the Korean defence industry, especially small & medium sized companies, by creating large-scale value from the initial state as part of Boeing’s global value chain” said Eom.
Global innovation leader
Working with DAPA enables Boeing to partner with a global innovation leader, while expanding its presence in Korea. This effort also directly supports ROK President Yoon Suk Yeol’s national defense strategy in developing and securing Korean advanced military capabilities. DAPA has committed to support research, development, and export of the defence systems from this co-development initiative. The two parties will establish working committees to meet regularly and identify weapons systems of mutual interest.
Boeing is proud to be a key component of Korea’s rapidly growing aerospace sector, spending over U.S. $4 billion with suppliers in the past 15 years. In 2022, Boeing spent over $250 million with over 50 Korean companies who provide products and services for Boeing.
Boeing recently received three performance based logistics (PBL) contracts from DAPA to manage sustainment of Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15K fighter jets and Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft, and Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
The five-year contracts will improve aircraft availability by using performance data to inform logistics and supply chain management activities.
“Our partnership with Korea is continuing to grow as we shift from transactional support approaches to customized models driven by agreed-to readiness outcomes,” said Thom Breckenridge, senior director of Far East Programs for Boeing International Government & Defence. “These agreements enhance the value of PBL contracts that have delivered high mission-capable rates and improved parts forecasting and procurement of the ROKAF’s F-15K fleet for more than a decade, and will extend benefits to the AEW&C and CH-47 fleets as well.”
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