Seoul: Hanwha Ocean Co., a major South Korean defense and shipbuilding company, announced on Tuesday that it has secured a new contract with the U.S. Navy. This contract involves the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service of a 31,000-ton replenishment oiler, marking a significant development in South Korea's growing role in global naval logistics. According to Yonhap News Agency, Hanwha Ocean will undertake comprehensive maintenance and inspection of the USNS Yukon, with plans to return the vessel to the U.S. Navy by April. This newly secured deal is Hanwha's second MRO contract with the U.S. Navy, following a prior agreement for the maintenance of the logistics ship Wally Schirra in August. Notably, the previous contract was the first instance of a South Korean company winning a regular overhaul contract for a U.S. Navy vessel. These deals are aligned with the U.S. Defense Department's "Regional Sustainment Framework," which seeks to establish naval MRO capabilities across five Indo-Pacific nation s. This initiative positions South Korea as a key partner, enhancing its strategic importance in the region. The framework underscores the U.S. commitment to reinforcing its naval capabilities in collaboration with regional allies. Recently, former President Donald Trump underscored the importance of South Korea's involvement in the U.S. shipbuilding industry. During a phone conversation with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Trump advocated for South Korea's active participation in naval shipbuilding and MRO, following Yoon's victory in the presidential election. Hanwha Ocean has expressed confidence in its ability to deliver the vessel promptly, leveraging its world-class MRO technologies. The company aims to contribute to the U.S. Navy's power buildup and the strengthening of the U.S.-Korea alliance through this collaboration.