"Sacheon, Korea's Aerospace Hub"... "2026 Sacheon Airshow" to Open in October

From KF-21 and Black Eagles Air Show to International Defense Export Consultations
Integrated Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition
Expanding as a Global Business Platform

The "2026 Sacheon Airshow," where visitors can experience the present and future of Korea's aerospace and defense industry in one place, will be held for four days from October 22 to 25, 2026, at Sacheon Airfield and throughout Sacheon City.

Jointly hosted by the Republic of Korea Air Force, Gyeongsangnam-do, Sacheon City, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), this event is organized in conjunction with the launch of the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) to foster Sacheon as Korea's leading aerospace city and to position it as a global hub for the aerospace and defense industry.

At the Sacheon Airshow, the Air Force's special flight team is showcasing high-difficulty formation flying across the blue sky. The long white smoke trails behind the aircraft create a dynamic curve, producing a spectacular scene.

The main event, the airshow, will feature demonstration flights and ground displays of Korea's domestically developed supersonic fighter KF-21 and advanced trainer T-50. The Republic of Korea Air Force's Black Eagles special flight team will perform high-difficulty aerobatic maneuvers, and international invited teams will also showcase their flights, filling the skies over Sacheon with spectacular displays.

This year, the event will be expanded to integrate the "Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition," significantly strengthening the industrial expo component. Led by the Korea Aerospace Industries Association, the event will introduce the B2B program from Seoul ADEX, and will invite Air Force Chiefs of Staff from 29 countries as well as buyers from global defense companies for export consultation sessions.

The venue will feature two exhibition halls with a total area of 6,050 square meters and a 850-square-meter export consultation center. More than 100 domestic and international companies will participate, operating exhibitions, consultations, and conferences. Participating companies will also benefit from waived booth participation fees.

Additionally, international events such as the World Air Force Commanders' Conference, the International Aerospace Conference, and the Korea Technical Cooperation Group/SMG for domestic aircraft technology cooperation (K-TCG/SMG) will be held to expand the global defense cooperation network. There will also be an overseas buyer invitation program in collaboration with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).

The event will also be transformed into a visitor-centric festival that encourages longer stays. By expanding nighttime cultural events and programs linked to the local business district, the organizers aim to increase visitor stay time and boost the local economy.

Educational and experiential programs to nurture future aerospace talent will also be strengthened. New programs include the "GNU Rocket Pitch Competition" and special lectures from experts in the aerospace sector. On October 24, the "4th Sacheon Aerospace Education Festival" will be held at Sacheon Gymnasium.

For the convenience of visitors during the event, direct shuttle bus routes will be operated and additional temporary parking spaces will be secured. Convenience facilities within the venue, such as rest areas, restrooms, and food courts, will also be significantly expanded.

An official from the Joint Operations Headquarters stated, "The 2026 Sacheon Airshow will go beyond being a simple aviation festival to serve as a global business platform for Korea's aerospace and defense industry," adding, "We will ensure the event becomes a success that provides tangible benefits for the development of an aerospace complex city and the revitalization of the local economy."

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