Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

The K-Defense industry, powered by AI, showcases its technological prowess from the ground to space.

 

Over 600 companies from 35 countries, including Hanwha, LIG Nex1, and Hyundai Rotem, participated.

Core zones highlight cutting-edge technologies such as PGM and MUM-T.

The KF-16 fighter simulator draws strong attention from visitors.

KAI unveils new technologies tailored to the needs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

DAPA signs an MOU with a Brazilian aerospace company to enhance defense cooperation.

 

During the business days of Seoul ADEX 2025, held from Oct. 20 to 24 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, visitors tour the exhibition halls. This year, over 600 companies from 35 countries participate—the largest number in the event’s history—further elevating the global status of Korea’s defense industry.

 

The Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2025 (Seoul ADEX 2025) commenced at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province on October 20.

 

Amidst the sustained enthusiasm from the Public Days held at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province from October 17 to 19, the Business Days of Seoul ADEX 2025 saw participation from approximately 600 companies across 35 countries, marking the largest scale of participants in the event’s history. These exhibitors presented advanced technologies and weapon systems designed to address the evolving requirements of future warfare environments.

 

From the morning of the opening day, the exhibition halls were already abuzz with activity. Business representatives, overseas buyers, and military officials from various nations toured the booths, examined advanced weapon systems and equipment, and conducted business meetings. General visitors observed and experienced each company’s weapon systems firsthand and took photos with their smartphones.

 

The KF-16 fighter jet simulator, showcased by the Republic of Korea Air Force, was easily one of the most popular attractions at the event. Viktor, a representative from the French multinational company Safran S.A., who took the controls himself, said, “The vibrations and graphics made it feel like I was flying a real fighter jet. I didn’t realize Korea’s technology was at such a high level.”

 

During the business days of Seoul ADEX 2025, held from Oct. 20 to 24 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, visitors tour the exhibition halls. This year, over 600 companies from 35 countries participate—the largest number in the event’s history—further elevating the global status of Korea’s defense industry.

 

 

During the business days of Seoul ADEX 2025, held from Oct. 20 to 24 at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, visitors tour the exhibition halls. This year, over 600 companies from 35 countries participate—the largest number in the event’s history—further elevating the global status of Korea’s defense industry.

 

Major domestic companies showcased their advanced technologies at the forefront of Seoul ADEX 2025. Hanwha’s three defense affiliates jointly operated the largest-ever exhibition hall measuring 1,960㎡, themed “AI Defense for Tomorrow.” The hall was designed in the shape of the capital letter A, symbolizing artificial intelligence (AI), and comprised 10 distinct zones, with the Space Zone at the center.

 

Among them, the PGM (Precision-Guided Munition) Zone displayed the Loitering Precision-Guided Weapon (L-PGW), Hanwha’s next-generation export strategy product, drawing attention. It is a key component of Chunmoo 3.0, the future version of the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher Systems (MRLS), and a suicide drone is mounted on the front of the rocket, which has a range of 80 km.

 

In the MUM-T (Manned-Unmanned Teaming) Zone, the Tracked Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) THeMIS-K drew significant attention. THeMIS-K is based on the tracked platform developed by Milrem Robotics, the largest unmanned vehicle manufacturer in Europe. It is equipped with Hanwha Aerospace’s Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), optimized for the Korean market.

 

LIG Nex1 introduced next-generation technologies leading the future aerospace sector, including a global layered air defense system and AI-based unmanned solutions. The exhibition hall consisted of five core zones: detection, defense, dominance, control, and command.

 

The Threat Detection zone showcased Cheollian Satellite 5, Korea’s first privately-led geostationary satellite, along with ultrahigh-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. The Airspace Dominance zone unveiled the KF-21 fighter’s advanced weapon systems and featured electronic warfare equipment designed to enhance the survivability of friendly fighters and support aerial infiltration operations.

 

The Battlefield Innovation zone introduced medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles and future soldier platforms. The Integrated Command zone attracted attention with its battlefield situational awareness capabilities using an AI platform and a multi-dimensional, futuristic command and control space.

 

Under the theme “From Ground to Space: Realizing Advanced AI Mobility,” Hyundai Rotem presented a diverse array of products across ground weapon systems, aerospace technologies, and defense solutions, including AI and hydrogen mobility platforms.

 

The company, along with Kia and Hyundai Wia, operated the Hyundai Motor Group Integrated Hall to strengthen its brand presence. The hall exhibited major aerospace products to be equipped on aerial vehicles, including guided weapons and space launch vehicles such as methane engines, ducted ramjet engines, and hypersonic dual-mode ramjet engines.

 

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) created a future battlefield environment in its exhibition hall to present a next-generation aerial combat system concept reflecting the characteristics of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The company also introduced a simulator equipped with an AI pilot, as well as the Advanced Aerial Platform (AAP), a next-generation multipurpose unmanned aerial vehicle. The AAP can perform various roles such as kamikaze drone, decoy, and unmanned target drone.

 

Numerous business agreements were actively concluded between institutions and companies. At Seoul ADEX 2025, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand industrial cooperation with the Brazilian aerospace firm Embraer S.A.

 

With the MOU signing, DAPA and Embraer S.A. agreed to strengthen cooperation by expanding mutual industrial collaboration. They will explore opportunities for Korean firms to participate in Embraer’s overseas projects and for Embraer to engage in Korean defense ventures. Both parties also aim to develop new cooperative projects to deepen their strategic partnership.

 

An official from the Seoul ADEX 2025 Joint Operations Headquarters said, “Business Day serves as a venue for substantial exchanges where both technology cooperation and export negotiations take place. We aim to enhance the global competitiveness of the K-Defense by maximizing connections and synergy among companies.”

 

Seoul ADEX 2025 will continue until October 24. On Future’s Day, the event’s final day, on-site job and role briefings along with career development consultation booths will be operated for elementary, middle, and high school students, university students, and soldiers.

<By Byeong-No, Yun <trylover@dema.mil.kr >

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