First F-35 Aircraft Unveiled at Seoul ADEX

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The Air Force's first F-35A stealth fighter jet will make its debut at the international aerospace and defense exhibition 'Seoul ADEX,' which opens on the 19th. The exhibition, held at the indoor and outdoor exhibition halls of Seoul Airport in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do until the 23rd, will showcase cutting-edge weapons from 440 defense companies from 28 countries. It is the largest scale ever.

Although the first F-35A was introduced in March 2018, the commissioning ceremony held the following year at Cheongju Air Force Base was closed to the public, making this the first time it is publicly revealed. At the time, there were criticisms that a 'low-key' mode was adopted in consideration of North Korea's backlash. The event is held according to the scheduled plan, but it draws more attention as it is held about a week apart from the Defense Development Exhibition held by North Korea on the 11th.

The exhibition will also display 34 units of 31 types of ground equipment, including the medium-range surface-to-air missile 'Cheongung,' the medium-to-high altitude ballistic missile interceptor Patriot (PAC-2), the K-2 tank, and the K-9 self-propelled howitzer. The actual '75t liquid rocket engine,' the heart of the Korean launch vehicle Nuriho (KSLV-II), which will be launched on the 21st, will also be unveiled. The US Forces Korea will exhibit advanced reconnaissance and attack drones called 'Gray Eagle' MQ-1C and the US Marine Corps' vertical takeoff and landing aircraft MV-22 Osprey.

To attend this exhibition, more than 300 high-ranking officials and generals, including defense ministers, chiefs of staff, and acquisition agency heads from 45 countries, are visiting Korea, and it is expected that military diplomatic cooperation measures will also be discussed on this occasion. From the 19th to the 22nd, the event will be open to professionals in related fields such as industry, academia, research, and the military, and the general public can visit on the 23rd.