The 2024 Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition (YIDEX) was held on the 24th at the Jinhae Naval Academy in Changwon, the largest defense industry cluster in South Korea.
The event began with a fanfare performance by the Navy Band at the Ungpo Auditorium of the Naval Academy, followed by the opening ceremony, including the screening of a promotional video on unmanned combat systems. The program continued with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the weapons system exhibition hall and an airshow by the Air Force’s special flight team, the Black Eagles.
Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam (center), is cutting the opening tape at the 2024 Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition. [Photo by Lee Seryeong]
The event was attended by Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City; Kang Dong-gil, Chief of Naval Operations; Lee Soo-yeol, Superintendent of the Naval Academy; Ahn Sang-min, Commander of the Naval Logistics Command; Kang Hwan-seok, Deputy Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration; representatives from over 100 domestic and international defense companies; defense attach?s from 26 countries including the United States; and the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, totaling around 800 defense industry personnel.
The Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition, held from this day until the 27th around the Naval Academy parade ground, was co-hosted by Changwon City and the Naval Logistics Command and organized by the Changwon Industry Promotion Agency.
During this period, more than 30 advanced land, sea, and air weapon systems will be displayed at the Naval Academy parade ground, including wheeled armored vehicles (K808), infantry mid-range guided missiles, K1A2 tanks, K9A1 self-propelled howitzers, battalion reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles, and the MUH-1 (Marinon) helicopter.
Visitors are touring booths at the 2024 Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition corporate exhibition hall. [Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]
On one side, the exhibition hall features about 150 booths set up by 68 companies including LIG Nex1, Hanwha Aerospace of the Hanwha Group, STX Engine, Hyundai Rotem, KAI, POSTECH, and SNT Dynamics.
Booths from related organizations such as the Army Comprehensive Maintenance Depot, National Institute of Scientific Research, Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, Korea Automotive Technology Institute, Naval Logistics Command, and the Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation of Changwon National University are also available.
Academic events include the 2024 Naval Technology Weapon Systems Seminar jointly organized by the Navy and the Korean Society of Naval Architects, and the Chungmugong Academic Seminar hosted by the Naval Academy Marine Research Institute.
A business export consultation meeting will also be held, with participation from about 10 overseas companies and over 60 domestic companies.
Side events such as military band concerts, Navy honor guard demonstrations, open tours of naval vessels inside and out, Taekwondo demonstrations, Turtle Ship boarding experiences, and naval vessel assembly block making are also available for enjoyment.
Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam (center), is sending encouragement to defense companies after touring the booths of companies at the 2024 Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition. Photo by Lee Seryeong
Mayor Hong said, “Seeing the technological capabilities of companies leading South Korea’s defense industry makes me feel reassured,” adding, “I hope this event provides an opportunity for domestic and international defense industry stakeholders to communicate and exchange ideas for the future of the defense industry in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
He continued, “Going forward, Changwon City will accelerate the creation of the Changwon Defense and Nuclear Convergence National Industrial Complex and related foundational innovations so that the defense industry can become a sustainable growth engine for South Korea, making the city a magnet for talented individuals.”
Chief of Naval Operations Kang said, “I am pleased that the Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition, aimed at revitalizing the national defense industry and fostering future-oriented development, is being held at the Naval Academy, the cradle of maritime defense and national strength,” adding, “Our Navy, which aims to build future naval power based on advanced scientific technology, will make various efforts through the Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition to actively support the government’s maritime defense export initiatives.”
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