ADEX 2025 Officially Opens
Record Participation with 600 Companies from 35 Countries
LIG Nex1, Hanwha’s Three Defense Affiliates, Hyundai Rotem and Others
Showcase Weapon Systems Integrated with Cutting-Edge Technologies
The Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2025) officially opened on October 20. This year’s event has set a record as the largest in its history, with 600 companies from 35 countries participating. It is now recognized as one of the world’s top three airshows, alongside Paris and Farnborough.
Aerial view of Hyundai Rotem's 'ADEX 2025' exhibition hall showcasing major aerospace products such as the methane engine (left), ducted ramjet engine, and hypersonic dual ramjet engine (right). Photo by Hyundai Rotem
The exhibition is being held at both Seoul Airport in Seongnam and KINTEX in Ilsan. During the public days from October 17 to 19, there were airshows featuring the F-35A, the domestically developed advanced fighter KF-21, and the Air Force’s Black Eagles aerobatic team. From October 20 to 24, the business days will provide a platform for in-depth business exchanges among domestic and international aerospace and defense industry professionals.
This year’s exhibition brings together the advanced capabilities of major domestic defense companies, including AI, autonomous weapons, and satellite technology. Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean have set up a 1,960-square-meter integrated booth under the theme “AI Defense for Tomorrow,” where they unveiled the Loitering Precision Guided Weapon (L-PGW) and, for the first time, the development roadmap for the K9A3-the world’s first manned-unmanned hybrid self-propelled howitzer. Hanwha Aerospace also introduced the K-NIFV for the first time, a next-generation armored vehicle targeting both export and domestic markets. With differentiated features in performance, cost-effectiveness, and combat capability compared to existing armored vehicles, it is expected to become Hanwha Aerospace’s next core export product.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) showcased the future battlefield environment in its exhibition hall, unveiling the multi-purpose unmanned aerial platform (AAP), air-launched effect (ALE), and light armed helicopter (LAH) currently under development. LIG Nex1 displayed the airborne weapon system to be equipped on the Korean fighter KF-21, along with long-range air-to-surface guided missiles and air-to-air guided missiles. Hyundai Rotem emphasized the AI transformation of ground platforms through a demonstration of its manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) combat system.
Hyundai Rotem Unveils Next-Generation Space Products for the First Time
Hyundai Rotem presented its vision as a “comprehensive defense” company by unveiling major aerospace products such as the methane engine for the first time. In addition to ground defense products like the K2 tank, the company introduced for the first time its key aerospace products, including the methane engine, ducted ramjet engine, and hypersonic dual ramjet engine, which are installed in space launch vehicles and guided weapons. The methane engine produces almost no soot during the combustion of methane fuel and offers excellent storability, making it advantageous for reusable launch vehicles.
Hyundai Rotem began developing methane engines in 1994 and, in 2006, became the first in the country to successfully conduct a methane engine combustion test. This year, the company secured a project from the Defense Technology Promotion Institute to develop a 35-ton-class methane engine. The ducted ramjet engine and hypersonic dual ramjet engine are designed for supersonic and faster cruise vehicles. Unlike turbojet engines, ramjet engines operate by compressing air using shock waves generated during supersonic flight, without turbines or compressors, making them difficult to develop. This year, Hyundai Rotem began producing ducted ramjet engines through a prototype development project for a Korean long-range air-to-air guided weapon by the Agency for Defense Development. The company also participated in the HICORE project, which involves a Korean hypersonic vehicle equipped with a dual ramjet engine, achieving a speed of Mach 6-surpassing the development target of Mach 5.
LIG Nex1’s vision for the future battlefield is presented through five core zones. LIG Nex1 is unveiling a wide range of airborne weapon integration systems for the KF-21. The company is showcasing a long-range air-to-surface guided missile capable of precision strikes on distant key targets, a Korean short-range air-to-air guided missile that enhances survivability in close air combat, and a long-range air-to-air guided missile designed for beyond-visual-range engagements.
LIG Nex1 Unveils Electronic Warfare Aircraft Configuration... Showcasing Top Technology
The company is also unveiling, for the first time, the configuration of its “Guardian of the Skies” electronic warfare aircraft. This aircraft collects and analyzes threat signals from adversaries and neighboring countries during peacetime and, in wartime, neutralizes enemy integrated air defense and wireless command and control systems through long-range electronic warfare attacks. In addition, LIG Nex1 is exhibiting components of the KF-21 integrated electronic warfare system, which maximizes the fighter’s survivability and mission success rate, highlighting the company’s advanced electronic warfare capabilities.
SNT Group aims to use the exhibition not just to showcase technology, but to present the direction of future power systems. Its main affiliates, SNT Dynamics and SNT Motiv, are simultaneously unveiling electric-powered weapon systems and an advanced lineup of firearms.
SNT Dynamics, the only domestic company with proprietary technology in automatic transmissions for tracked vehicles, is presenting a vision that extends beyond improving existing weapon systems to electric-powered tactical vehicles. The key exhibits include: ▲ a 1,700-horsepower power pack for the K2 tank ▲ an automatic transmission for the K9 self-propelled howitzer ▲ a 120mm mortar system mounted on a light tactical vehicle (LTV) ▲ a 20mm turret gun system for the light armed helicopter (LAH) ▲ an electric drive unit (EDU) and electrified axle (eAxle) for electric vehicles.
SNT Motiv Showcases Rifles with Diverse Barrel Options
SNT Motiv is highlighting its full lineup of small-caliber firearms at this exhibition. Its flagship product, the STSR23 7.62mm semi-automatic sniper rifle, maintains the precision of the K-14 while switching from single-shot to gas piston semi-automatic operation. The rifle is available with four barrel options-16, 18, 20, and 24 inches-allowing it to adapt to various missions. SNT Motiv also announced plans to strengthen global cooperation by signing business agreements with Germany’s Heckler & Koch and the U.S. Colt, as well as jointly operating a training ammunition shooting experience booth with UTM, a training ammunition manufacturer, during the exhibition.
Kia is unveiling the actual Tasman military command vehicle for the first time. Based on the off-road performance and safety and convenience features characteristic of a traditional pickup, the vehicle is equipped with radios, antennas, and other equipment to enhance operational capability. It was selected as the standard command pickup for the Korean military last month and is scheduled to be deployed in the field within this year.
The next-generation medium standard vehicle, introduced in June, is also on display. This vehicle demonstrates outstanding off-road capabilities, including fording rivers up to 1 meter deep, climbing slopes of up to 60% and traversing slopes of up to 40%, electromagnetic interference shielding, starting at minus 32 degrees Celsius, and transporting up to 25 personnel or 10 tons of cargo.
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration is operating an integrated promotional booth introducing the entire process of defense technology, from research and development to testing and evaluation, quality assurance, and exports. During the exhibition, over 30 side events-including high-level meetings, seminars, academic conferences, and technology exchange sessions-will foster collaboration among government, industry, and academia.
Meanwhile, the Korea Aerospace Administration is participating in ADEX for the first time since its establishment, operating the “Space & Aerospace Pavilion” together with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. The pavilion introduces space technology and policy visions in areas such as launch vehicles, exploration, satellites, and astronomy, and discusses ways to expand international cooperation through bilateral meetings with the United Kingdom, Brazil, Germany, and others. In particular, during talks with the Brazilian Aerospace Corporation (ALADA), discussions will be held on supporting Innospace’s commercial launch of the “Hanbit-Nano” at Brazil’s Alcantara Space Center.
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