Page 3 - Seoul ADEX 2021 Day 2 Online Magazine

...Cont’d from page 1
DEMAND
GROWS

FOR SOUTH

KOREAN
DEFENCE

PRODUCTS

tion of ADEX is the biggest ever, with 440
companies from 28 countries participat-
ing. As many as 68 types of aircraft and
ground equipment are part of the static
display and outdoor exhibition. Among
the items on display are hydrogen-fueled
large drones, space development related
equipment, virtual reality-based training
systems, laser weapons systems, and
multi-purpose unmanned vehicles. The
country’s defence ministry has set up a
special unit at the event to promote 72
types of unmanned aerial, terrestrial, and
marine systems produced by the domes-
tic defence contractors. Also, a part of
the five-day event are 22 seminars on
a wide range of topics. Although South chief engineer Lee Il-woo allayed fears development costs of US$7.6 billion and
Korean defence companies such as on Friday by stating that the projects are will take delivery of aircraft and benefit
Hanwha and Korea Aerospace Industries on schedule. from technology transfer. KAI is also cur-
(KAI) are hogging much of the limelight, rently developing the LAH (Light Armed
almost all the major international defence A joint South Korean/Indonesian 4.5 gen- Helicopter) that is designed to replace the
contractors such as Saab, Leonardo, eration fighter aircraft, KF-21 is stealthier Republic of Korea Army (RoKA)’s aged
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon than other fourth generation fighters but attack helicopters (500MD, AH-1S).
Technologies are showcasing prod- does not carry weapons in internal bays
ucts and capabilities at the event. As a like fifth-generation fighters. The first test The first flight of LAH was successfully
prelude to the main event, Republic of flight is anticipated in 2022 and manufac- conducted in 2019 and the company plans
Korea Air Force’s acrobatic flight team, turing is scheduled to begin in 2026. The to complete its development in 2022. At
Black Eagles, carried out flyovers over Republic of Korea Air Force will take deliv- the event, the company is also displaying
the venue, along with a KC-330 military ery of at least 40 aircraft by 2028 and the FA-50, the T-50 simulator, the KUH
tanker transport aircraft, a RF-16 recon- has plans to deploy as many as 120 of the export prototype and the amphibious
naissance plane, F-15K and KF-16 jets. type by 2032. Indonesia will pay 20% of combat helicopter.
No prototype, but KF-21 Life-size Model
on Display

The much-anticipated display of the
KF-21 prototype isn’t happening at ADEX
2021, but Korea Aerospace Industries is
displaying a life-sized model of the coun-
try’s first indigenous fighter jet. The first
prototype of the KF-21 Boramae/Fighting
Hawk was completed and unveiled in
April this year during a rollout ceremony
at the headquarters. The prototype had
to be partially dismantled for more test-
ing, causing concern about whether the
development and production of the air-
craft would be delayed. However, KAI

SEOUL ADEX - INTERNATIONAL AEROSPACE & DEFENSE EXHIBITION 2021 OCTOBER 20, 2021 | 3