“South Korea’s defense industry has now reached a level where it can propose a technically new approach to Lockheed Martin,” said Greg Ulmer, president of Lockheed Martin’s $25 billion Aeronautics division, evaluating the changed status of South Korea’s defense industry. During an interview with Chosun Ilbo at Lockheed Martin Korea’s office in Yeouido, Seoul, on Oct. 29, Ulmer explained, “Korea’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities, which set it apart from other countries, are one of the key factors behind the success of the K-defense industry.”
Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense company, produces the U.S. Air Force’s main fighter jets, including the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 stealth fighter, and the Aegis combat system. It has also been a long-standing partner of South Korea’s defense industry, which has grown from relying on weapons imports to becoming the world’s ninth-largest arms exporter. From the time South Korea began assembling Black Hawk (UH-60) helicopters and F-16 fighters in the 1990s to its current joint development and export of the T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft, Lockheed Martin has been involved in every step of the K-defense industry’s growth over the past 40 years.
Ulmer said, “Amid rising global uncertainty, K-defense is a very strong and reliable partner in ensuring ‘peace through strength’ and deterrence,” referring to a small defense company based in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province.
◇ “K-defense is a reliable partner”
Ulmer highlighted that “South Korean industries produce very high-quality materials economically,” pointing to a parts supplier. This company, Kencoa Aerospace, which specializes in manufacturing metal parts for aircraft, is a small to medium-sized enterprise with annual sales of hundreds of billions of won. Despite its size, it supplies essential components for Lockheed Martin’s best-selling C-130 transport aircraft.
Even the smallest defect in an aircraft can prevent it from flying and potentially lead to major accidents. As a key supplier of high-precision parts that require complex processing and assembly, Kencoa Aerospace works as a first-tier partner for major firms like Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The company also produces parts at its U.S. location, Kencoa Aerospace LLC, supplying components for Lockheed Martin’s C-130, F-16, and F-35 aircraft. Ulmer emphasized, “We are constantly reviewing ways to secure a stable global supply chain that combines both economy and quality in the defense industry,” adding that this is why Lockheed Martin is interested in South Korea’s industrial ecosystem.
Ulmer, who majored in aerospace engineering, joined McDonnell Douglas (now merged with Boeing) in 1987 as an engineer in the aerospace field before moving to Lockheed Martin. He now serves as president of Lockheed Martin’s aeronautics division, overseeing about 35,000 employees. He previously held the role of executive vice president at Lockheed Martin’s highly secured Skunk Works research facility, where he was responsible for managing all resources and infrastructure, including production, quality, supply chains, facilities, and security.
◇ Pursuing U.S. exports with co-developed K-defense products
Lockheed Martin’s partnership with South Korea’s defense industry traces back nearly 40 years to the 1980s. Initially, this collaboration was limited to assembling nearly finished parts supplied by foreign defense firms like Lockheed Martin. However, after further discussions, South Korea began producing Lockheed Martin’s Black Hawk (UH-60) military helicopters in 1990 and later domestically manufacturing the F-16 fighter jet from 1994. These early projects were based on an “assembly production” approach.
South Korea’s rapid progress in manufacturing has spurred the development of offset agreements, linking defense procurement with technology transfers and collaborative ventures. Under this framework, leading exporters such as Lockheed Martin provide design expertise, while South Korean firms localize certain components and oversee full-scale production.
The initial phases of this partnership posed significant challenges. Ulmer recalled, “In the beginning, extensive discussions and rigorous problem-solving were required to address various issues, including structural design, composite materials, and avionics.” He continued, “Despite these hurdles, Lockheed Martin and the South Korean defense industry managed to establish mutual trust in a remarkably short time.”
Lockheed Martin’s partnership with South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and defense contractors in developing and producing the F-16 fighter jet celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. South Korea has progressed from assembly production to licensed manufacturing of upgraded models. This accumulated expertise has paved the way for the country’s development of its own trainer aircraft.
The next major milestone in this partnership was joint development, exemplified by the T-50—a supersonic advanced trainer and light combat aircraft designed for pilot training and tactical missions. The T-50 was co-developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Lockheed Martin after the F-16 was chosen in 1991 for the Korean Fighter Program (KFP). As part of the contract, South Korea secured technology transfer for trainer aircraft development, setting the stage for the T-50 initiative. While full domestic production is still a goal, the T-50 incorporates advanced technologies developed in South Korea, such as carbon fiber composites, displays, tires, and avionics.
Ulmer expressed strong confidence in the export potential of the T-50 series, which Lockheed Martin and KAI are promoting internationally. Enhanced models of the T-50 have already been sold to countries such as Indonesia and Poland, and the jet is now competing for a U.S. Navy trainer jet contract worth over 20 trillion won (about $14.33 billion). “Although there are similar partnerships worldwide, our collaboration with South Korea and KAI has been uniquely successful and mutually beneficial,” Ulmer said. He noted that Lockheed Martin has responded to Requests for Information (RFIs) regarding the T-50 from the U.S. Air Force, as well as the Canadian and Australian Air Forces and other military organizations. Beyond the aerospace industry, Lockheed Martin is collaborating with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), a major South Korean shipbuilder, to integrate shipbuilding technology with Aegis combat systems. This partnership aims to support potential warship exports to various countries.
◇ “Once a provider of technology, Lockheed Martin now gains new insights from South Korea’s innovative approaches.”
The president projected that as nations aim for “peace through strength,” the global defense market will continue to expand. He emphasized the significance of collaboration with South Korea in integrating next-generation platforms and using advanced materials. “In the past, South Korea benefited from technology transfers,” Ulmer said. “Now, however, the country’s aerospace industry is introducing innovative methodologies and technological approaches. In this regard, Lockheed Martin has much to learn from South Korea.” He pointed out that the most effective knowledge exchange happens within transparent partnerships.
Ulmer highlighted the strategic importance of integrating platforms such as the F-35, which South Korea procured from Lockheed Martin, with the KF-21, a collaborative project between the two partners. “The ability to seamlessly integrate these platforms, connect them with broader aerospace and space systems, and identify which technologies to share or advance is essential,” he said. The president of the Aeronautics division called for sustained bilateral support from both governments to chart comprehensive roadmaps. “With ongoing technological advancements, new materials that enable previously unachievable feats will continue to emerge,” he noted. “Our objective is to optimize the exchange and development of this expertise and innovation.”
☞ Lockheed Martin
Formed in 1995 from the merger of two defense industry giants, Lockheed and Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin has become the world’s largest defense contractor. Renowned for its production of cutting-edge defense systems, the company is responsible for innovations like the F-22 Raptor, Aegis combat systems, and Patriot missiles. By the close of 2023, Lockheed Martin reported an unprecedented order backlog valued at $161 billion (about 221 trillion won), setting a new record for the company.
