South Korea promotes arms exports through record-breaking defense exhibition

South Korean K2 tanks at the exhibition

South Korea's largest-ever defense exhibition opened on October 17 to promote exports of the latest weapons and technology, with displays by the domestically produced KF-21 fighter jet and the US B-52 bomber, Yonhap news agency reported.

The Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023 takes place at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam south of the capital until October 22, with the participation of 550 companies from 35 countries.

The event is expected to attract about 30,000 visitors, including more than 114 military and defense officials from 55 countries, marking the largest-ever gathering of the biennial event, which has been held since 1996.

During the opening ceremony, the Black Eagles display teams of Korea and Paul Bennet of Australia performed to welcome the exhibition.

Korea's Black Eagles aerobatic team in the skies over Seongnam

According to the program, the Korean KF-21 fighter jet will perform a demonstration flight during its first public debut, along with the participation of US military aircraft, including the F-22 stealth fighter, F-16 fighter, T-50 trainer aircraft and U2 spy plane.

In addition, the US carrier-based EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft will be displayed to the Korean public for the first time.

South Korean companies plan to showcase their latest weapons systems and technologies to boost defense exports, hoping to gain momentum from large-scale arms deals with Poland.

South Korean helicopters fly above US F-22 fighters at the exhibition.

Last year, South Korea's arms exports hit a record high of $17.9 billion, as it signed major contracts with Poland to supply K2 tanks, K-9 self-propelled howitzers, FA-50 light attack vehicles, and Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers.

South Korea's Defense Ministry aims to capture 5% of the global arms export market share by 2027 to become the world's fourth-largest defense exporter.

According to the program, the first four days will host seminars and forums for defense industry officials, before the defense exhibition opens to the public for the last two days.

Model military vehicles at the display area of ​​Hanwha Aerospace Company (Korea)

The Korean Black Eagles aerobatic team performed at the event.

The fleet operates T-50B aircraft based on the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50 supersonic trainer aircraft.

Members of the Korean Air Force Rescue Task Force perform at the event.

A rescue team member has just completed a performance.

Domestic fighter KF-21 performed for the first time in public at the event

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