MADEX to Open on May 28 with Largest Lineup Ever

Hanwha's Three Defense Companies Present Future Integrated Maritime Solutions
Hyundai Rotem Showcases Manned-Unmanned Complex System for Amphibious Operations

The International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX) will open on May 28 at BEXCO in Busan. This year, more than 200 defense companies and organizations from 14 countries will participate. Compared to the previous event, the number of participating companies has increased by about 50, making it the largest edition ever. MADEX, which marks its 14th edition this year, has been held biennially since 1998 by the Navy, Marine Corps, and Korea International Trade Association.

A bird's-eye view of the exhibition booths of Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Aerospace, showcasing the Hanwha integrated pavilion for the first time at the 2025 International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition. /Hanwha Ocean

According to industry sources on May 25, this year's MADEX will see the full participation of major domestic defense companies, including Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, Hyundai Rotem, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), and LIG Nex1. Notably, Hyundai Rotem will participate for the first time ever, bringing together the five leading domestic defense companies at a single venue. Shipbuilders such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, which produces naval vessels, and Hanwha Ocean will also take part.

Hanwha Group will operate the largest booth at the event. Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Aerospace, and Hanwha Systems?the three defense affiliates of Hanwha?will present their vision for future integrated maritime solutions at MADEX. Their approach is to showcase Hanwha's unique maritime power integration technology, spanning from naval vessels and unmanned systems to energy solutions. In particular, this exhibition will mark the first time these three companies operate a joint integrated pavilion, allowing the public to directly witness the maximized synergy of Hanwha's defense capabilities.

The core framework of the future integrated maritime solution from Hanwha's three defense companies is the combination of Hanwha Ocean's naval vessel expertise and Hanwha Systems' unmanned systems. On top of this, Hanwha Aerospace's lithium-ion energy storage system (ESS), which maximizes submarine submergence capabilities, will be added. At this exhibition, Hanwha will unveil a total of eight vessels incorporating Hanwha Ocean's latest technologies: two unmanned surface vessels, three surface vessels, and three submarines. Hanwha Systems will also introduce its "combat unmanned surface vessel," designed to block enemy forward base infiltration at the frontlines, for the first time.

LIG Nex1 will showcase an unmanned surface vessel platform that applies the concepts of systematization and modularization of unmanned systems. This includes the "Haegum" series of unmanned surface vessels, developed jointly by the military and civilian sectors in 2015, and related reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel technologies that will be deployed to the Navy. As Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1 competed in the selection process for the Navy's reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel development project last year, the competition between the two companies' unmanned surface vessel technologies will be a highlight of the exhibition. In addition, LIG Nex1 will introduce its "Haegung" ship-to-air guided missile and integrated anti-drone jammer.

Hyundai Rotem will promote a manned-unmanned complex system capable of responding to amphibious operations. The main attraction is the multipurpose unmanned vehicle "HR-Sherpa." This is an electrified unmanned platform developed in-house by Hyundai Rotem, which can be equipped with various equipment depending on the mission. The company will also showcase the export model of the K2 tank, the "K2EX," as well as the next-generation tank currently under development.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will exhibit its Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) and Mine Countermeasure Helicopter (MCH). The Marine Attack Helicopter, a derivative of the Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH-1) "Surion," successfully completed its maiden flight in January. Once system development is completed next year, it will be deployed to Marine Corps amphibious operations. The Mine Countermeasure Helicopter is tasked with detecting, identifying, and removing sea mines. System development is set to be completed next year, after which it will be delivered to the Navy.