International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition to Open at BEXCO in Busan on May 28
Competition Heats Up in Submarines and Unmanned Surface Vehicles Beyond Surface Ships
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, fierce competitors in the race to develop the next-generation Korean destroyer (KDDX), will face off again at the country’s largest maritime defense industry exhibition. Both companies plan to showcase their technological capabilities not only in surface vessels, but also in fields such as submarines and unmanned surface vehicles.
According to the Navy on May 21, the International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) 2025 will be held from May 28 to May 31 at BEXCO in Busan. MADEX, which has been held biennially since 1999, marks its 14th edition this year. Domestic companies participating in the exhibition are expected to present a range of technologies, including integrated manned-unmanned maritime systems, ocean exploration vessels, special ship equipment, and maritime defense systems.
The defense company with the largest booth at the exhibition is Hanwha Group. Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean will operate a joint exhibition hall.
Hanwha Ocean is expected to display models of its latest frigates, Korean destroyers, and next-generation smart destroyers as part of its surface vessel lineup. The company will also showcase integrated manned-unmanned maritime systems, including unmanned surface vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles currently under development. Hanwha Systems plans to highlight its technology for integrated operation of various radars and sensors installed on naval vessels. The main exhibits will likely include AI-powered maritime unmanned systems, low-orbit communication satellites, and anti-drone systems (systems that detect and neutralize drones). Hanwha Aerospace (Hanwha Aero) will unveil its energy storage system (ESS) for ships.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will organize its booth into domestic and international sections. The domestic section will feature the KDDX as well as surface vessels and submarines currently operated by the Navy. The international section will showcase export models such as offshore patrol vessels.
LIG Nex1 will also participate. LIG Nex1 will unveil its "Maritime Unmanned Platform." In December 2024, LIG Nex1 won a contract to develop a reconnaissance unmanned surface vehicle system. The Navy is currently pursuing the "Navy Sea Ghost" project to strengthen surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for forward bases. LIG Nex1 plans to develop an unmanned surface vehicle to support this project, and a model of this vehicle is expected to be unveiled.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will also set up a booth for the maritime exhibition and display its Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH), which made its maiden flight earlier this year. The Marine Attack Helicopter is a derivative model of the domestically developed Surion, and is intended for use by the Marine Corps in amphibious operations. The mine countermeasure helicopter, which began development in 2022, will also be unveiled. The mine countermeasure helicopter is designed to detect, identify, and remove naval mines and is scheduled to begin test flights as early as July.
Hyundai Rotem will participate in the country’s largest maritime defense industry exhibition to showcase its capabilities in manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) systems specialized for amphibious operations. The company will display the HR-Sherpa, a multipurpose unmanned vehicle that represents its MUM-T product lineup. The HR-Sherpa is an electric unmanned platform independently developed by Hyundai Rotem, capable of carrying a variety of equipment depending on the mission. Since its initial unveiling in 2018, it has undergone continuous performance upgrades and was reborn last year as the latest fourth-generation model. Other companies, including Poongsan and Korean Air, will also participate to showcase their technological capabilities.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
