The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of South Korea announced that it will operate an “Integrated Korea Pavilion” at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2025, which will be held from Monday to Friday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks the first time a unified exhibition space combining a government promotional booth and a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) pavilion will be established at an overseas defense exhibition.
IDEX is the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa, attracting major global defense companies and government officials. Thirty-eight South Korean defense companies, including Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), LIG Nex1, Hanwha, and Hyundai Rotem, will participate in the exhibition.
Until now, DAPA has supported the overseas expansion of South Korean defense SMEs and mid-sized enterprises by subsidizing exhibition space rental costs for the SME pavilion, which has been operated by the Korea Defense Industry Association (KDIA).
Starting in 2025, DAPA will directly oversee the unified operation of the government promotional booth and the SME pavilion. This initiative aims to implement joint marketing for “K-Defense” by forming a “One Team” between the government and private sector.
Various activities will be held at the Integrated Korea Pavilion, including showcasing products from domestic defense SMEs, promoting South Korea’s defense industry at the government level, and networking with government and corporate representatives from key export target countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
A dedicated “L-SAM Zone” will be set up to highlight the excellence of South Korea’s guided weapon systems to key figures from the UAE government and defense companies. A South Korea-UAE joint seminar will also be held to strengthen defense cooperation between the two nations.
Kim Tae Gon, Director of International Cooperation at DAPA, stated, “Starting with IDEX 2025, we plan to continue operating Integrated Korea Pavilions at major international defense exhibitions, promoting joint government-business marketing efforts. Furthermore, we will make every effort to support domestic defense SMEs in expanding their sales channels and ensuring the sustainable growth of K-Defense through various support programs.”
