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DOD Official Says Integration With Partner Nations' Defense Industry Is Important

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The assistant secretary of defense for acquisition spoke today on the deepening industrial partnership between the United States and South Korea at a Center for Strategic and International Studies conference in Washington.

Kevin Fahey said the alliance with South Korea is very important and added that his remarks about industrial cooperation also apply to other allies and partners.

People work on the deck of a submarine.
Yun Bonggil Submarine
South Korean sailors aboard the Yun Bonggil submarine conduct line-handling duties at Naval Base Guam, June 5, 2019.
Photo By: Navy Seaman Chase Stephens
VIRIN: 190605-N-SS370-0065

Fahey said the Defense Department would like to work with South Korea's military industry on 10 science and technology priorities:

Person looks at parachutists from inside a helicopter.
Helicopter Jump
A South Korean service member watches others jump from a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as part of a combined military freefall jump over Gyeryong, South Korea, Oct. 4, 2019.
Photo By: Air Force Capt. David J. Murphy
VIRIN: 191003-F-LP903-536

Cooperation on these would include shared doctrine, development, training and integrated operating capabilities that would allow both nations to employ these systems in operations, he said.

Within the realm of command, control and communication, Fahey said co-development of a 5G network would be welcomed.

He also said protecting intellectual property and cybersecurity of the industrial bases are important to both nations.

Jets fly in a formation.
Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2019
Two F-16 Fighting Falcon jets assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, perform a joint formation with the South Korean air force during the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition in Seoul, Oct. 15, 2019.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Denise M. Jenson
VIRIN: 191015-F-HB600-0172

Other areas of importance in the industrial base are speeding acquisition, policy reform and improving contracting and procurement.

Fahey congratulated South Korean industry for being selected to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul of the F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter aircraft.

Fahey was joined on the panel by Wang Jung-hong, South Korea's minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration.

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