South Korea has opened its largest-ever arms fair, the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025, showcasing advanced unmanned and AI-enhanced weaponry, including howitzers and suicide drones. The event, which features a record 600 companies from 35 countries, underscores Seoul's strategic push to strengthen its military and boost global defence sales.
The exhibition began with three days of public air shows at an air base, featuring flights by its new KF-21 fighter jet. These will be followed by business exhibitions at a conference centre next week. Earlier this month, President Lee Jae Myung announced an 8.2% increase in the defence budget for next year, to 66.3 trillion won ($47.1 billion), citing regional tensions and the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea.
Hanwha Aerospace said it would unveil next-generation versions of its popular self-propelled K9 howitzer, using automation and AI to reduce or eliminate the need for a crew. The company also showcased its L-PGW loitering munition, a suicide drone that can circle an area before using AI to identify and destroy a target. Hanwha noted that unmanned weapons and AI will help South Korea maintain defences despite a shrinking population.
Defence Acquisition Program Administration Minister Seok Jong-gun told parliament that the focus includes developing manned and unmanned weapons systems and expanding defence export markets in cooperation with the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia and others. He said, 'We will pursue entry into the global supply chain by expanding cooperation with the US in defence shipbuilding.'
South Korea's shipbuilding cooperation with the US has become a flashpoint with China, which imposed sanctions on Hanwha Ocean's US-linked affiliates earlier this week. Arms have become one of South Korea's fastest-growing exports, with multibillion-dollar deals for howitzers, ammunition, missiles and warships worldwide.
