S.Korea opens largest defence expo amid N.Korea missile tests

Korea Aerospace Industries

19/10/2021 09:28

By Josh Smith
    SEOUL, Oct 19 (Reuters) - South Korea opened its largest
defence expo ever on Tuesday, showing off its next-generation
fighter jet, drones, and other technology in an effort to boost
exports as economies around the world rebound from the COVID-19
pandemic.
    Opening ceremonies for the International Aerospace and
Defence Exhibition (ADEX) at an air base in Seoul were however
somewhat overshadowed by the launch https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-fires-unidentified-projectile-off-east-coast-skorea-military-2021-10-19
 of what South Korea said was a North Korean submarine-fired
ballistic missile (SLBM).
    "Despite the COVID-19 situation this year, export marketing
is expected with products developed by domestic companies at the
exhibition hall, which has been expanded from last year," ADEX
official Lee Jong-ho told reporters on Monday.
    At least 440 companies from 28 countries are showcasing 79
types of aircraft and 68 types of ground equipment. Around 300
government, military and defence acquisition officials from 45
countries were expected to attend the event, which lasts through
Saturday.
    At least 170 U.S. troops were on hand to display American
military aircraft, the U.S. Air Force said in a statement.
    Last week Korea Aerospace Industries officials declined to
comment on potential export deals for its KF-21 fighter jet and
Light Attack Helicopters, but said both programmes were on
track. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/korea-aerospace-says-fighter-jet-helicopter-prototypes-track-ahead-expo-2021-10-15
    Korean Air said it was displaying drones with vertical
lift-off and landing capabilities, while a "space hub" at the
show displays components of South Korea's space programme,
expected to get a boost with the planned launch https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/spy-satellites-mobile-networks-skorea-hopes-new-rocket-gets-space-programme-off-2021-10-15
 of its first space launch vehicle on Thursday.
    North Korea, which has complained that South Korea's arms
buildup threatens to destabilise the peninsula, put on a defence
display https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/nkorea-threatens-upstage-skorea-defence-expo-with-duelling-military-show-2021-10-14
 last week.
    South Korea's arms exports in 2016–20 were 210% higher than
in 2011–15, according to Stockholm International Peace Research
Institute data.

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 (Reporting by Josh Smith; Additional reporting by Hyonhee Shin
and Dogyun Kim)
 ((JoshSmith1@thomsonreuters.com;))