318 Companies from 23 Countries Gather as "Drone Show Korea 2026" Opens at Record Scale

Expanding into AI, defense, and New Space... Korea AeroSpace Administration: "Drones are a core technology for future space and aviation"

Asia's largest drone exhibition, "Drone Show Korea 2026," will be held at the largest scale ever. By expanding the industrial scope to include artificial intelligence (AI), defense, future mobility, and New Space, the event aims to establish itself as a global innovation hub.

The Korea AeroSpace Administration announced that it will host "DSK 2026 (Drone Show Korea)" at BEXCO in Busan from February 25 to 27.

Illustrative photo to aid understanding of the article. Drones waiting to take off for the show. Photo by Cho Yongjun

This year's event will feature 318 companies from 23 countries, with 1,200 booths over an area of 26,508 square meters, and will be accompanied by an international conference and hands-on programs with 48 participants from 13 countries. Ambassadors to Korea, as well as military, police, and government officials from 23 countries and representatives from international organizations, will participate as buyers and engage in business exchanges with domestic companies.

A space and aviation joint pavilion will be set up at the venue to showcase technologies from around 10 startups on themes such as space data centers, lunar exploration, and space food. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute will present their research achievements, including stratospheric drones, optionally piloted personal air vehicles (OPPAV), and drone-robot linked delivery.

In the AI Drone Security Pavilion, counter-drone security solutions and command-and-control vehicles will be exhibited, highlighting the potential for convergence with the defense industry and public safety sectors.

At the conference to be held on February 25-26, experts from 13 countries will discuss strategies for combining AI and unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, as well as for defense, future mobility, and the expansion of space and aviation.

On the first day, under the theme "2026 Air Mobility Trend," participants will share market outlooks and regulatory trends. On the second day, sessions will be held on drone policy and regulation, international cooperation, manufacturing and solutions, geospatial information, smart life (UAM and AAM), New Space, and sustainable aviation.

Experience-oriented content will also be strengthened. The existing "Drone Enter Zone" will be revamped as the "Drone Action Zone." Through practical programs such as drone assembly and maintenance, counter-drone simulation, and mini racing, visitors will be able to experience industrial field technologies firsthand.

Oh Taeseok, Administrator of the Korea AeroSpace Administration, said, "Drones, when combined with low Earth orbit satellites, precision navigation, satellite communications, and AI-based autonomous flight, are a core technology that connects ground, air, and space infrastructure," adding, "We will expand institutional improvements and research and development (R&D) investment to strengthen the global competitiveness of the domestic drone industry."