“Does this mean that even if different types of Cheonmu rockets with varying ranges are mounted, there is no need to change the software of the launcher?”

The 2025 Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) is being held at the KINTEX exhibition center in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. A high-ranking official dressed in Middle Eastern military attire was asking detailed questions to a representative of Hanwha Aerospace at the Hanwha integrated exhibition booth. The Hanwha representative responded, “It is designed to launch missiles of various ranges simultaneously, so no additional work or cost is required.”

Following the 'Public Day' events, including the air show (aerobatics) at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, from the 17th to the 19th, the ADEX professional visitor event schedule began on the 20th at the KINTEX exhibition center. The exhibition hall was filled with 'half foreigners, half Koreans,' proving the recent popularity of 'K-Defense.' The booths of Korean defense companies were crowded with military personnel and defense industry officials from various countries, who were busy moving between booths to listen to explanations.

A Hanwha Aerospace representative explained, “This afternoon alone, a large number of military officials from the Middle East and Southeast Asia visited,” adding, “They showed particular interest in the ability to operate weapons with minimal personnel and cost.”

In addition to officials interested in purchasing weapons, foreign industry professionals seeking opportunities to supply their products or gather information on competitors were also present. A visitor who introduced himself as being from a Turkish UAV engine manufacturer was promoting with his catalog at the LIG Nex1 promotional booth. He stated, “I participated in ADEX for the first time to gather information on whether there might be an opportunity to equip our engines on UAVs developed in Korea,” and added, “This exhibition seems to reveal the scale of the Korean defense industry.” An official from a U.S. defense company, who was closely examining Hanwha Systems’ defense system introduction screen, also stated, “I am visiting the Korean exhibition hall to understand the trends of Korean defense companies with similar business models.”

This year's ADEX, held on the largest scale ever with participation from over 600 companies from 35 countries worldwide, highlighted the global defense industry's trend of 'Artificial Intelligence (AI).' The focus was on integrating land, sea, and air battlefields into a single command system using AI, while maximizing the use of unmanned equipment to reduce personnel losses. Hanwha showcased a wide range of unmanned maneuver systems at its integrated exhibition booth, including the next-generation K9 self-propelled howitzer K9A3 capable of unmanned operation, the multi-launch rocket 'Cheonmu 3.0' equipped with AI-based self-identifying loitering munitions, and the 'Smart Battleship' that automatically engages with targets.

LIG Nex1 also exhibited AI unmanned solutions, including the next-generation electronic warfare aircraft to be jointly developed with Korean Air. Korean Air showcased a model of the Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to be co-developed with U.S. defense company L3Harris, along with a 'low-observable unmanned wingman' capable of collaboration between AI pilots and manned aircraft.

Kia, which manufactures military vehicles, also exhibited the 'AI Surveillance Vehicle' that automatically monitors hazardous areas, and the 'Drone Carrier Vehicle' capable of expanding reconnaissance range, which can be manufactured according to operational requirements as a 'Small Tactical Vehicle (KLTV).' Hyundai Rotem attracted attention with the 'Black Veil,' an unmanned combat vehicle based on hydrogen fuel cells. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) drew interest by demonstrating an 'AI Combat Pilot Simulator.'

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