The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) have signed an agreement to formalize their cooperation on aerial refueling. Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, AM, CSC, Commander of the Australian Air Force and Lieutenant General Park Ha Sik, Commander, ROKAF Operations Command, signed the agreement in September 2022. This agreement provides an opportunity to align aerial refueling. Processes and helps promote interoperability between Australian and ROK forces.
Air Vice-Marshal Goldie said, “This agreement was an important step towards enhancing the partnership between the two Air Forces. This helps ensure that both our Air Forces can support each other in the skies, during exercise and training activities, and in any future operations. The transfer of fuel is essential for our aircraft to be able to successfully project air power when necessary to maintain and prolong our presence in the air.”
Lt Gen Park Ha Sik said, “The agreement will contribute to the expansion of the air operational area of the two Air Forces and enhancing joint operational capability. As strategic partners, there should be various cooperation between the two countries in the future. This implementation agreement will be in Australia. and will be a solid foundation for the development of military cooperation between the Republic of Korea.”
The Royal Australian Air Force regularly conducts training and exercises with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), with aerial refueling being a major component of cooperation between the two. The deployment of the ROKAF KC-330 tanker aircraft to Australia for the Pitch Black exercise was the most recent refueling conversation between the RAAF and ROKAF.
