Page 6 - SEOUL ADEX 2023 - DAY 2

Israel-Hamas War Has an Impact on the Show

including the F-35. One aircraft will not be
exhibited as part of the Show but show
attendees will nevertheless get a fleeting
glimpse of it in the skies as it is set to land
in a South Korean air base for the first time
ever this week.

U.S. Air Force Colonel Charles Cameron said
that while the U.S. strategic bomber B-52
will not be present on the airfield, it would
participate in the Show in the form of “one
or two fly-bys.” “To commemorate the 70th
anniversary of South Korea’s alliance with
the United States, we have a lager partici-
The shadow of the Israel-Hamas war has The event is the largest to date, with more pation in this edition. Our commitment to
fallen on the ongoing Show. companies than ever participating and a the U.S.-ROK alliance remains ironclad,”
record attendance expected. More than he added.
Event organizers told reporters on the eve of 450 senior defence officials and decision
the Show that many representatives of Israeli makers from 54 countries are attending The venue wore a crowded look even on
defence companies who were supposed to the ongoing edition, Lee Jong-ho, chief of the eve of the Show, with many eager to
fly in for the event from Israel would not be the organising committee, told reporters. catch a glimpse of the exhibits that included
attending because of the unfolding situa- “This is an opportunity for Korea’s defence aircraft like the F-22, FA-18G, and F-35 A
tion in their home country. The companies industry to draw international attention and Freedom Knight, ground equipment such as
would only have representatives from their take a giant leap forward,” Lee said. the K2 main battle tank, the KSM120 120 mm
Korean offices at the event. Among the Self Propelled Mortar, and the KAAV P7A1
major defence firms from Israel that are at Cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd on (Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicle). Also
the Show are Israel Aerospace Industries Monday, the indigenously developed KF-21 attracting attention and showcasing Korea’s
(IAI) Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, made its maiden appearance in the fly- progress in the space sector is Hanbit TLV
and Elbit Systems. ing display along with several other jets, (test Launch vehicle).

TE Connectivity a Key Partner in Korea’s

Defence Programmes, eVTOl Industry

TE Connectivity, which has a sizable pres- the competition. According to a company
ence in South Korea, is showcasing a num- official, while there are companies that
ber of innovative products in power distri- manufacture power switches and oth-
bution and data transmission for various ers that make cables and connectors, TE
sectors at the ongoing Show. Connectivity has a wide spectrum of prod-
ucts such as power switching, wire and
The company is involved in a variety of cables, connectors, and fiber optics. The
Korean defence and commercial pro- company is also one of the few suppliers
grammes, said Yunhee Lee, Regional Sales approved on engines for Pratt&Whitney.
Manager, South Korea, for the company’s
Aerospace, Defence and Marine unit. “TE The company has been developing space-
Connectivity is supplying to most of Korean grade connectors designed for high per-
defence programmes since the products more than 120 different parts enabling formance since the 1960s. Its products
are mostly sub-component level,” he said. the growth of the eVTOL and the larger ad- support Low Earth Orobit (LEO) initiatives
“Our products commonly used in connect- vanced air mobility (AAM) industry. These with space-qualified SpaceVPX, VITA, NASA,
ing the systems We are in ground defence parts are lightweight, helping to reduce ESA and MIL-SPEC compliant products. The
systems such as K-9/10 and MLRS and the overall weight of the aircraft without company’s products for the sector include
also in aircraft such as the T-50, FA-50, KF- compromising performance. Among the micro-miniature and nano-miniature con-
21 and LAH.” eVTOL manufacturers tha the company nectors that overcome SWaP challenges to
has been working with are Joby Aviation, wire and cable that help control Electrostatic
Apart from defence programmes and com- Archer, Volocopter and Lilium. Discharge (ESD). According to reports, 54
mercial aircraft, TE Connectivity has an array percent of spacecraft anomalies or failures
of products for eVTOL, launch vehicles, and The wide spectrum of products it has are caused by electrostatic discharging
space. The company currently produces makes TE Connectivity stand out from and charging.
6 OCTOBER-18-2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS