The inaugural Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition (GADEX) in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, generated approximately 26 trillion won in consultation results, establishing a new avenue for the region's aerospace and defense industries to enter international markets.
Gyeongnam Province aims to enhance the event's competitiveness by focusing on export consultations and international cooperation based on actual aircraft and parts production, rather than competing in scale with the Seoul ADEX.
From October 22 to 25, the '2026 Sacheon Airshow Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition (GADEX)' reported a total of 756 consultations worth $19.9 billion (approximately 26 trillion won). During the event, seven contracts and 17 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed, with over 76,000 visitors, including around 9,000 professional business attendees, from 130 domestic and international companies and organizations.
This event combined industrial exhibitions with export consultations, featuring 108 domestic companies and 22 international participants.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) showcased the KF-21 and FA-50 aircraft, along with an AI-based Next-Generation Air Combat System (NACS). Hanwha Aerospace presented next-generation fighter jet engines and short takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicles. Hyundai Rotem displayed a hypersonic dual ramjet engine and multipurpose unmanned vehicles, highlighting the current state of domestic defense technology.
Breaking down the total consultation results, 89 companies operating industrial booths accounted for 371 consultations worth $19.8 billion. Additionally, a separate export consultation event involved 60 companies conducting 385 consultations worth $100 million with overseas buyers. However, the $19.9 billion figure does not represent confirmed contract amounts but rather the figures presented by participating companies during consultations.
A Gyeongnam official explained in a phone interview with Aju Economy that the Korea Aerospace Industry Association conducted a survey of participating companies to compile the consultation numbers and amounts.
The specific amounts for the seven contracts signed during the event were not disclosed due to business confidentiality. The 17 MOUs signed by nine companies primarily focused on technology cooperation and market entry, with some companies reportedly signing multiple agreements.
Among the 60 companies participating in the export consultation, 14 were from Gyeongnam, representing about 23% of the total. As the regional distribution of participating companies is confirmed, the extent to which GADEX contributes to expanding export channels for local companies remains a key issue.
Gyeongnam Province emphasizes the increased participation of overseas buyers and consultation opportunities compared to the 2024 event. The advance coordination of business meetings between overseas buyers and companies received positive feedback from participants.
An official stated, "Compared to 2024, there were more meetings between overseas buyers and companies, and participants responded positively to the advance coordination of B2B meetings."
Through GADEX, Gyeongnam has outlined a development direction that connects industrial sites with exhibition and export consultation functions. While Seoul ADEX is a large-scale comprehensive defense exhibition held in the metropolitan area, Sacheon aims to leverage its industrial base of aircraft and parts production companies for differentiation.
In a follow-up written response, Gyeongnam Province stated, "While Seoul ADEX is a large-scale exhibition centered in the metropolitan area, the Sacheon Airshow plans to expand and develop into a 'field-based export platform' linked to production sites."
The visit of overseas air force delegations also supported the international cooperation aspect of the exhibition. A total of 90 representatives from foreign air forces, including eight air force chiefs and ten deputy chiefs from 17 countries such as the United States, Japan, Poland, Malaysia, and the Philippines, attended the event.
Bilateral discussions involving air force commanders from various countries led to technology presentations and cooperation discussions among defense companies. The bilateral talks, led by the air force, included representatives from 11 countries, and a letter of intent (LOI) regarding collaborative platforms was signed between the U.S. and South Korean air force chiefs.
During the World Air Force Commanders Conference, representatives from 15 countries and eight domestic and international defense companies, including KAI, Hanwha Aerospace, and Safran, shared insights on the operational direction of future air forces and advancements in cutting-edge defense technology under the theme of 'Strategic Evolution of AI-Based Aerospace Power and Aerospace Defense Industry.'
Gyeongnam Province facilitated government-to-business (G2B) meetings between overseas air force delegations and participating companies through the Korea Aerospace Industry Association, while also supporting a welcome dinner hosted by the governor and the protocol for the foreign delegations. The province plans to continue supporting exchanges that link military diplomacy with industrial exhibitions to foster actual export cooperation.
Measures have been implemented to improve accessibility and lodging conditions in line with the expanded scale of the exhibition. Following a 2024-related survey that identified issues with exhibition facilities and transportation and lodging infrastructure, enhancements were pursued to increase capacity during the event.
This year, parking space was expanded by approximately 45%, increasing from 7,000 to 10,180 spaces, an increase of 3,180. Shuttle buses also increased from 210 to 268, marking a 28% expansion.
To address the shortage of lodging facilities in the Sacheon area, partnerships were established with hotels in the nearby Jinju region. Considering the geographical distribution of the event venue and lodging facilities, securing transportation networks and expanding lodging infrastructure will remain ongoing challenges for the stable operation of large-scale international events.
In the medium to long term, the road construction project between Sacheon and Jinju has passed preliminary feasibility studies, laying the groundwork for improved regional accessibility. Gyeongnam Province expects that once the road is constructed, it will help distribute traffic and enhance mobility during the event.
Gyeongnam plans to maintain the network of overseas companies and buyers established during this year's inaugural industrial exhibition while strengthening support to ensure that consultation outcomes translate into actual exports and contracts. The province aims to broaden the connections between local production companies and overseas demand, developing GADEX into a continuous platform for industrial exchange.
Lee Mi-hwa, head of the Gyeongnam Provincial Industry Bureau, stated, "We achieved visible results, including large-scale consultation and contract signing at the inaugural Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition, while also expanding opportunities for international defense cooperation. We will support these outcomes to lead to actual exports and contracts for local companies and develop GADEX into a global aerospace and defense business platform."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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