▲ This March 20, 2024, file photo shows a CH-47 Chinook helicopter taking part in South Korea-U.S. combined drills in the border county of Yeoncheon. (Yonhap)

S Korea-US-arms cooperation

S. Korea, U.S. select CH-47 helicopter engine for joint MRO project

SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- South 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, South 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 South 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 South Korea, it is anticipated to expand South Korean firms' participation in MRO services as well as to enhance the South 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.

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