At the end of this month, Korean defense companies will participate in the country's largest maritime defense industry exhibition. HD Hyundai and Hanwha are fiercely competing over the Korea Destroyer neXt generation (KDDX) and are also competing in areas such as submarines and unmanned surface vessels. With military officials from various countries expected to attend the exhibition, domestic companies are anticipated to ramp up their activities for weapons system exports.
According to the industry on the 21st, the 14th Marine Defense Exhibition (MADEX) 2025, which will be held from the 28th to the 31st at BEXCO in Busan, is set to showcase new maritime defense technologies from domestic companies. The event, organized biannually since 1999 by the navy, marine corps, and Korea International Trade Association, has unveiled numerous innovations in maritime defense technology. This year, companies are expected to display integrated systems for manned and unmanned maritime operations, research vessels, specialized vessel equipment, and maritime defense systems.
At this year's MADEX, Hanwha Group's defense subsidiaries will set up the largest booth, operating an integrated exhibition hall. Hanwha Ocean is expected to display models of its surface vessel lineup, including the latest escort ship, the Korean destroyer, and next-generation smart destroyers. Integrated systems for unmanned surface vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles currently under development will also be exhibited.
Hanwha Systems will present maritime defense solutions. The company plans to showcase technology that integrates various radars and sensors mounted on military vessels. Key exhibits are expected to include maritime unmanned systems integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), low-orbit communication satellites, and anti-drone systems, which detect and neutralize drones.
Hanwha Aerospace will unveil an energy storage system (ESS) for ships. Hanwha Aerospace announced at the end of last year that it had developed the world’s first immersion-cooled ESS, declaring its intention to target the zero-carbon ship market.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is planning to create separate booths for domestic and overseas exhibits. It is expected that the domestic exhibition will feature the KDDX, along with surface vessels and submarines currently operated by the navy. The overseas exhibition will showcase export models, including coast guard vessels.
LIG Nex1 will unveil a "maritime unmanned platform." The company won a government contract in December last year to develop a reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel system. The main goal is to develop an unmanned surface vessel to enhance surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities around naval forward operating bases, and a model of this vessel is expected to be revealed. A representative of LIG Nex1 noted, "The goal is to support the 'Navy Sea Ghost' project," which is a combined system of manned and unmanned vessels envisioned by the navy.
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will set up a booth in line with the maritime exhibition and showcase its Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH), which successfully flew earlier this year. The Marine Attack Helicopter is a model developed domestically based on the Surion, intended for use by the marine corps in amphibious operations. A mine-sweeping helicopter that can detect and identify sea mines, which began development in 2022, will also be displayed.
Additionally, Hyundai Rotem, Poongsan, and Korean Air are also expected to participate and showcase their technological capabilities. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration plans to conduct defense cooperation activities for overseas military officials expected to visit MADEX 2025.