National
South Korea's Korean Air, Thai State Firm Join Forces for Military Helicopter Maintenance
PHNOM PENH, September 3, 2026 – Korean Air has signed a teaming agreement with Thailand's state-owned Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) to cooperate on military aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul, beginning with the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters operated by the Royal Thai Army.
The agreement was signed at Korean Air's Tech Center in Busan. The companies plan to later expand their cooperation to other military aircraft used by Thailand's armed forces. Korean Air will also provide support to standardize maintenance procedures and offer technical training to TAI.
Korean Air has over 50 years of experience in military aircraft maintenance, having produced and maintained UH-60 helicopters for the South Korean military since 1991. The company recently won a $705 million contract to upgrade 36 Black Hawks for special operations.
Thailand currently operates 31 Black Hawk helicopters across its three military services. The partnership is expected to strengthen TAI's maintenance capabilities and provide Korean Air with a foothold in the Southeast Asian MRO market.
— Sources: UPI
Asia Today
https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260902010000896
Aviation Week
https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/korean-air-partners-tai-thai-black-hawk-mro
Reported by The Khmer Today