Defense Exhibition Featuring US Strategic Weapons... Yoon "Establishing Cooperative Systems with Allies"

President Yoon Attends Korea's Largest Space and Defense Industry Exhibition
First Real Display of 'Growler' Marking 70th Anniversary of Korea-US Alliance
Strategic Bomber B-52 Lands at Air Force Base During Exhibition
"Defense Industry, a National Strategic Industry Supporting Security and Economy"
Promises Policy Support While Announcing Cooperation Framework with Allies

The 'Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX)', the largest aerospace and defense industry exhibition in Korea, opened on the 17th at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. Held biennially, this year marks the 14th Seoul ADEX, planned to be the largest ever in terms of participating companies, exhibition area, and visitors. Notably, President Yoon Suk-yeol attended for the first time since his inauguration and stated, "Defense cooperation is expanding beyond mere arms exports to include equipment and parts supply, training, and joint research and development," adding, "We will build a defense security cooperation system by sharing the growth experience of the defense industry with allied countries."

This year's ADEX celebrates the 75th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces and the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance, with government officials from aerospace and defense sectors of 57 countries participating. Defense ministers from nine countries including Malaysia, Australia, and Iraq, as well as air force chiefs from 14 countries, are attending. There are 550 participating companies, of which 203 are overseas companies from 34 countries, making this an opportunity to advance 'K-Defense' as one of the world's top four defense exporters.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is watching a high-altitude parachute demonstration at the opening ceremony of 'Seoul ADEX 2023' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on the 17th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The number of exhibited equipment has increased from about 60 to over 100 types. Korean military fighter jets such as the KF-21, F-35A (stealth), F-15K, and FA-50 will be displayed, along with US military aircraft including the F-22, considered the world's most powerful stealth fighter, the advanced electronic warfare aircraft EA-18G Growler, and the U-2. Marking the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance, key US air power such as the F-22 stealth fighter 'Raptor' and the MQ-1C unmanned attack drone 'Gray Eagle' will also participate. Notably, the EA-18G Growler, regarded as the world's top electronic warfare aircraft, will be exhibited domestically for the first time. The Growler, operated by the US, is a two-seat electronic warfare attack aircraft based on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, capable of jamming or destroying enemy radar.

The US strategic bomber B-52 'Stratofortress' will fly twice over Seoul Airport during the event period, including the opening ceremony, which runs until the 22nd. The B-52 will land at a domestic air force base during Seoul ADEX. While the B-52, a US strategic asset capable of carrying nuclear weapons, has conducted joint exercises with the Korean Air Force over the Korean Peninsula airspace many times, this is the first time it will land at a domestic air force base. The US stealth strategic bomber B-1B 'Lancer' is also expected to participate in ADEX. There are reports that the B-1B may fly over Seoul Airport or appear in the outdoor exhibition area like the B-52.

With President Yoon's attendance, the government's commitment to defense exports was emphasized. On the day, President Yoon evaluated, "Our defense industry is creating something out of nothing and writing a new history," promising policy support for the development of AI (artificial intelligence) digital infrastructure for military operations and future aviation mobility technologies. He further stressed, "The defense industry is a national strategic industry that supports security and the economy," and said, "The government has presented the advanced strategic industrialization of the defense industry as a national agenda and has strived to strengthen the growth foundation of the defense industry."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of 'Seoul ADEX 2023' held at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province on the 17th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier this year, the government established a dedicated defense export organization within the National Security Office and built a whole-of-government defense export cooperation system, including the 'Defense Export Strategy Evaluation Meeting' led by the National Security Office. President Yoon has also included defense and security cooperation as a key agenda in meetings with heads of state during his ongoing overseas tours, laying the groundwork for exports.

At the defense export strategy meeting held last year, he directly unveiled a blueprint to "establish a whole-of-government defense export support system to expand defense exports into industrial cooperation such as nuclear power and construction." This reflects the intention to develop the defense industry not just as a security matter but as a major export industry, leveraging the export success of defense companies. Government support is also expanding, focusing on "improving conditions for corporate research and investment."

On this day, President Yoon said, "The government will create an ecosystem where our defense industry can continuously grow and enhance its global competitiveness." Specifically, he identified 'aerospace technology' and 'AI digital technology' as key to winning in future battlefield environments and announced, "We will build a defense security cooperation system by sharing the growth experience of our defense industry with allied countries."

Centered on the soon-to-be-established 'Aerospace Administration,' the government promised close public-private cooperation to drive the leap forward of the aerospace industry. President Yoon said, "Our government is actively supporting the aerospace industry that will lead the new space era with the goal of becoming one of the world's top five space technology powers," adding, "We will accelerate the AI digital foundation for military operations and spare no policy support for the development of future aviation mobility technologies."

Meanwhile, the government estimates business-related consultations at this event to be worth about 33 trillion won. This reflects growing domestic and international interest in K-Defense, with 116 delegations from 57 countries participating, including senior military officials from promising defense export countries, acquisition project managers, CEOs of defense companies, and buyers. Compared to 66 delegations in 2021, this is an increase of over 75%. A government official said, "In preparation for the rapidly changing international security environment and unstable security situation, Korea's defense industry has achieved remarkable accomplishments," adding, "Since achieving a record export amount of $17.3 billion last year, the government and companies are working together to drive the sustainable growth of K-Defense."

At the opening ceremony of 'Seoul ADEX 2023' held on the 17th at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, a high-altitude parachute demonstration is taking place.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.