1960s
Dart and Spey engines enter service on F27/F28/YS-11 with the predecessor of Korean Air. Korean Air has longest relationship - since 1963.


1970s
Korean military’s airborne association began in 1972. Two Dart-powered HS748s were operated by ROKAF as part of the Presidential flight.

The first Norwinch and Frydenbö order from Korea was made in 1975. Also, the first Kamewa CP Propeller contract was signed in 1975.

1980s
Samsung Techwin began aero engine maintenance projects for Rolls-Royce in 1980s. This currentlys cover the Gem engine for the Lynx helicopter, T56 for C-130 Hercules and P-3C Orions, Model 250 engine for MD500. Supplied parts for Adour and Model 250 engines since 1989.

1980-82 Bergen delivered engines to Daewoo for 4 tankers for Westfall - Odfjell tankers, 1-2 shuttletanker for Kosmos/Jahres rederi.

The first Aquamaster was delivered to Korea.

1990
Korean Navy acquired a fleet of 12 Gem-powered Lynx helicopters in 1990. Second batch in 1999 ; serviced in Korea by Samsung Techwin.

1992
Korean Air Force acquired a fleet of 20 (now 17) Adour powered Hawk trainers in 1992. Serviced at their Seosan base.

1993
Rolls-Royce marked interest in development of Korea’s aerospace industry with symposium in Korea on world aerospace markets and technologies.

1994
SBAC's seminar 'Together in Aerospace - Britain and Korea'.

1996
Korean Army’s and Navy’s MD500 helicopters, the Air Force’s C-130s and the Navy’s P-3C Orions joined the Rolls-Royce Korean fleet following 1995 acquisition of the Allison Engine Company. All serviced in Korea by Samsung Techwin.

1999
Asiana began operating V2500-powered Airbus A321s.

Korean Navy’s marine association through waterjets and propellers by Kamewa of Sweden and Bird Johnson of the USA, following Vickers acquisition.

Other former Vickers companies, long-established in Korea, such as Ulstein (Norway) and Aquamaster (Finland) supply marine equipment and deck machinery to Korea’s shipbuilders and for export to Japanese shipbuilders since 1990s.


2000 to present
With its acquisition of Vickers plc in 1999, Rolls-Royce was able to incorporate all the relevant products and services for the Korean shipping industry into one business. Rolls-Royce relocated its marine facility to Noksan State Industrial Complex, in Busan in 2001.

Samsung Techwin became the exclusive, worldwide supplier of combustor module for Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine for Airbus A380.

In 2004, nine gas turbines ordered for the Republic of Korea Navy’s KDX III destroyer programme. Samsung Techwin agreed to assemble eight of them and Hyundai Heavy Industries is to produce the alternator for the generator set.

Internship program at Rolls-Royce headquarters in UK since 2004.

Publishing of Korean newsletter 'The Force' from 2005.

MOU signed for technological cooperation with Pusan National University (PNU) and Busan Metropolitan City in 2005.

Participated in KOMARINE 2005.

Participated in Seoul Air Show 2005.

Launching of the Korean website in 2005.

In 2006, signing of the joint technology research and development collaboration agreement between Rolls-Royce and PNU, to develop ultra-efficient, ultra-light weight heat exchangers, as their first project.

In 2006, delivery of three gas turbine generator sets (AG9140RF) to the first Republic of Korea Navy KDX III destroyer.