[Defense Column] Domestic Defense Industry Exhibitions Should Be Consolidated

Military and Defense Agencies Hold Consecutive Defense Exhibitions
K-Defense Companies Forced to Participate, Neglecting Overseas Exhibition Preparation
Urgent Need for Structural Reform of Defense Exhibitions Due to Role Reversal

Last month, the "Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2023" (Seoul ADEX 2023) was held at Seongnam Seoul Airport. A total of 550 companies from 34 countries participated, and 114 overseas military officials from 55 countries (including 350 staff members) attended. The venue was packed with people. It was truly an exhibition where one could feel the power of "K-Defense."

The highlight of the exhibition was the Korean supersonic fighter KF-21 "Boramae." The KF-21 impressed the skies over Seoul with a demonstration flight. It also showcased the strength of the Korea-US alliance. The US military deployed the world's most powerful stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor, performing maneuvering flights, and the B-52 strategic bomber capable of nuclear armament flew over the exhibition site to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance.

Despite the spectacular exhibition, domestic defense companies could not smile. This was especially true for small and medium-sized defense enterprises. The exhibition was divided into six halls, with small and medium-sized companies grouped in one hall, which visitors barely glanced at. Only parts, not finished products, were displayed, causing even the general public to turn away. The SMEs wanted to stand side by side with large corporations as partners because K-Defense was not built by large companies alone.

Large defense companies also had complicated feelings. This was due to a series of other exhibitions starting one after another. Each defense agency and the military annually hold events such as the Defense Science and Technology Grand Festival, Korea Defense Parts and Equipment Exhibition (Defense Acquisition Program Administration), Korea Military Industry Development Exhibition (Army Logistics Command and Education Command), and Korea Power Support System Exhibition (Korea Defense MICE Institute). Each agency forces defense companies to participate under the banner of "K-Defense."

Defense companies complain that by reluctantly participating in all domestic exhibitions, they lack time to prepare for important overseas exhibitions. There are calls to consolidate domestic defense exhibitions. They argue that a "K-Defense Exhibition" should be developed, similar to the world's three major defense exhibitions: the Farnborough Airshow, Paris Airshow, and Singapore Airshow.

The most dreaded domestic defense exhibition among Korean defense companies is the "Defense Expo Korea (DX-Korea)." DX-Korea is held biennially in even-numbered years. The organizers encourage participation by emphasizing that it specializes in ground forces weapon systems and offers companies direct opportunities to meet foreign buyers. However, defense companies point out that it is no different from other exhibitions.

DX-KOREA also faces internal complications. Ahead of next year's event, the organizer and the managing company are involved in legal disputes. DXK Co., Ltd., which hosts the event, is required to donate a portion of the profits earned from the exhibition each year to the Army Association as an Army Development Fund, but failing to fulfill this promise has led to court proceedings.

DX-KOREA has also caused embarrassment to "K-Defense." In a shooting demonstration in front of foreign guests in 2020, the infantry medium-range guided missile "Hyeongung" misfired. DX-KOREA and the Army each denied responsibility, claiming they did not invite the foreign guests. Army personnel participating in the exhibition were consecutively diagnosed with COVID-19, but the organizers avoided responsibility by stating the incident occurred at an outdoor exhibition site. Ultimately, the image of "K-Defense" companies plummeted.

In 2008, the Prime Minister's Office instructed the military to integrate DX-KOREA and Seoul ADEX as multiple defense exhibitions hosted by each branch of the military were rampant. However, this was abandoned after a change in administration. Instead, the number of exhibitions increased. Structural reform of defense exhibitions, where the priorities have been reversed, is urgently needed.

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