Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of the United States Forces Korea, speaks during a confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, in this April 17, 2025 photo. Captured from the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee's website

The U.S. military is moving to expand the repair and maintenance of its equipment in Korea, leveraging the country’s advanced defense industry as part of a broader effort to strengthen logistics support on the Korean Peninsula.

Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of United States Forces Korea, raised the idea during a recent congressional hearing, saying, “Our continued emphasis on things like a regional sustainment hub, because of the importance of sustainment to the region.”

He also noted that sustaining combat power remains essential to maintaining readiness in a contested environment.

His remarks brought renewed attention to the concept of a Regional Sustainment Hub, which is aimed at reinforcing maintenance and logistics capabilities across the region.

Brunson also addressed the issue in a written testimony submitted to Congress, where he outlined a plan to make greater use of Korea’s industrial base.

He wrote that the effort would involve “leveraging the ROK industrial base to support maintenance, repair, and overhaul,” signaling a shift toward conducting more repair work closer to where U.S. forces operate.

This approach marks a shift away from the traditional model of sending equipment back to the U.S. for servicing. Instead, the military is looking to handle more of that work in Korea, allowing systems to return to service more quickly while reducing the time and cost associated with long-distance transport.

Cooperation between U.S. forces and Korean industry dates back decades, with maintenance and overhaul work carried out in partnership with companies such as Korean Air, Hanwha Ocean and Hyundai Heavy Industries.

The U.S. military has increasingly recognized the country’s depot-level maintenance capabilities, and is now looking to expand cooperation in this area.

Source: Korea Times News