Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2009 Opening Ceremony on Oct. 20, 2009 at the Seoul Airport

Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2009 will be held from Oct. 20 to 25 running for six days at Seoul Airport in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, representing present status and future aspects of advanced aircraft as well as defense technology in the world. Starting with the first show in 1996, the 7th biennial exhibition is supported by government agency and local authority with the Prime Minister as the Honorary Chairman of Seoul ADEX 2009 and also the Defense Minister, the Knowledge Economy Minister, and Homeland Maritime Affair Minister as the Co-Chairman of the event. As the show provides a export opportunity to interact and exchange information and expertise with advanced overseas companies, the event will play an important part in the development of industry. The event is also expected to be the platform for public to perceive the importance of aerospace and defence industry as nationwide campaign to promote public's attention through the event.

This year's event have the most exhibitors ever, with 273 aerospace and defense companies from 27 countries and more than 300,000 visitors. In a joint exhibition of Seoul Air Show and Defense Asia, this year's event will feature a real showcase of aerospace and defense products. Meanwhile more than twice as many key delegations from various countries will take part in the show, compared with the last exhibition. It is expected that the exhibition will be best marketplace for aerospace and defense industries as well as promoting national prestige through military cooperation.

In 2009, there will be 80 overseas delegations from 46 countries. Key delegations are as follows; Ministers and Vice Ministers of Defense from 5 countries including Bogdan KLICH from Poland; Chiefs of Army from 3 countries including General Tan Seri Muhammad Ismail bin hj Jamaluddin from Malaysia; Chiefs of Air Force from 20 countries including Lt. Gen. Klaus Peter Stieglitz from Germany; and Defense Minister from Turkey, who is Murad BAYAR.

With the most advance technology and international competitiveness, defense equipments such as KT-1 Korean basic trainer, T-50 advance trainer, K-2 main battle tank, K-9 self-propelled howitzer, K-10 ammunition resupply vehicle, K-21 infantry fighting vehicle, surface-to-air missile named Chunma and Biho, and newly produced Korea utility helicopter named Surion will be display to demonstrate its advanced technology for potential buyers as well as offering an important platform for overseas export. In order to cope with growth of this year's event, key delegations from various countries will be invited to the Army Total Maintenance Depot, watch maneuvers demonstration of excellent indigenous ground equipments; K1A1 main battle tank, Pump Drive, Swing Reducer, K-9 self-propelled howitzer, K-10 ammunition resupply vehicle, K21 infantry fighting vehicle , and make survey of the manufacturing plant. This year's event is drawing more attention from public due to joint aerial maneuvers by the South Korean Air Force's aerobatic team, Black Eagles, and U.S. Thunderbirds. The Black Eagle is going to be newly introduced at this year's event with indigenous supersonic T-50, jointing flight with the Thunderbird. Futhermore, A-380, the world's largest commercial airplane will perform its first public flight.

Main aircraft to be display include about 75 aircraft and 63 models; F-15K, all models of Korea Air Force, aircraft of U.S. Air Force, and aircraft of Korea-U.S Air Show Flight Team. Ground weapons systems on display include about 34 models; K-2 main battle tank, and K-9 self propelled howitzer. Among on display, T-50 Blackeagles, Thunderbirds, C-17 C-130J troop transfer plane, Global Hawk(Mock-up), and the A-380 will also be showcased for the first time during the show.

The event will provide numerous business opportunities by offering meeting place between supplies and demanders. For supporting intensive marketing activity during exhibition, the Seoul ADEX 2009 has designed four days of the show as Business day from Oct. 20 to Oct. 23. The largest delegation group, 82 overseas delegations from 46 countries and about 30,000 attendees and visitors from inside and outside of country, will visit over the four business days to conduct military cooperation and meet global aerospace and defense market demand.

The Public days will be Oct. 24 and Oct. 25, 2009. It is one of the few chances people have to get up close to diverse aircraft and defense equipment around and watch some of the amazing airshow performing by Black Eagles and Thunder Birds and also demo flight of the latest aircraft such as C-17, C-130J, AH-64 and A-380. In addition, synergy effect is expected through holding various events during exhibition; International Aerospace Symposium, which will indicate the future course of strengthening South Korea's aerospace power; Air Chiefs Conference in Korea 2009 with the participation of chiefs of staff of Air Force from 19 countries; Aerospace Weapon System Development Seminar and Ground Weapon System Development Symposium; International Defense Acquisition Seminar; International UVS(Unmanned Vehicle Systems) Seminar; KOTRA investment forum are scheduled to be held at the appointed place.