Aerospace and Defense Technologies at a Glance ... 2026 Sacheon Air Show Opens

First-Ever Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition (GADEX) Held Alongside Air Show

The Republic of Korea Air Force's aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, performs an aerial display at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Sacheon Airshow. [Photo provided by Gyeongsangnam-do]

The 2026 Sacheon Air Show, where visitors can see the present and future of South Korea's aerospace and defense technologies in one place, opened on the 22nd in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, home to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA).

The Sacheon Air Show, which began with a celebratory aerobatic display by the Air Force's special aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, will run from October 22 through 25 at Sacheon Air Base and other venues across Sacheon.

Overseas air force delegations and officials from domestic and international aerospace and defense companies take a commemorative photo at the 2026 Sacheon Air Show welcome dinner. [Photo provided by Gyeongsangnam-do]

This year, the air show is being held alongside the Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition (GADEX) for the first time, adding industrial exhibitions and export consultations to its existing aerial demonstrations and hands-on programs.

A total of 130 companies and organizations, including 108 domestic and 22 overseas participants, will operate 283 exhibition booths at the industry exhibition.

Among them are 34 companies and organizations based in South Gyeongsang Province, including Hanwha Aerospace, Hankuk Carbon, Firstec, AST, Kencoa Aerospace, Songwol Technology, and DK-Lok.

Global companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Rolls-Royce will also operate exhibition booths.

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wansu exchanges greetings and business cards with an official from the Polish Air Force delegation attending the 2026 Sacheon Airshow. [Photo provided by Gyeongsangnam-do]

In addition, the event will host one-on-one export consultations (B2B) involving around 20 global companies, a business consultation program for visiting global companies organized by KOTRA, and exchanges between the military and businesses (G2B) held in conjunction with the World Air Chiefs Conference.

Visitors will also see demonstration flights of domestically produced aircraft, including the KF-21 and T-50, aircraft displayed on the ground, and aerospace experience and education programs.

Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wansu delivers remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Sacheon Airshow. [Photo provided by Gyeongsangnam-do]

At the opening ceremony, Governor Park Wansoo said, "This Sacheon Air Show is highly significant because it brings together a specialized industry exhibition where visitors can see at a glance the technological capabilities of the domestic and international aerospace and defense industries, along with a venue for business." He added, "It will grow beyond a simple air show into a global festival where the public can share in the present and future of South Korea's aerospace industry."

He continued, "South Gyeongsang Province is at the heart of K-defense, and Sacheon in particular is South Korea's only aircraft manufacturing city and a hub for the aerospace industry, with advanced aerospace infrastructure concentrated here," highlighting the province's industrial foundation and competitiveness.

Through the Sacheon Air Show and GADEX, South Gyeongsang Province plans to expand opportunities for cooperation with domestic and international companies and provide ongoing support to help the province's companies achieve tangible results through technological cooperation, exports, and orders.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.