The first ‘Integrated Korean Pavilion’ operated at an overseas defense exhibition, and the government and companies work together to brand the K-defense industry

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) (Administrator Seok Jong-geon) will operate the ‘Integrated Korea Pavilion’, the first overseas defense exhibition to combine the government PR pavilion and the SME pavilion, at the ‘IDEX 2025 (International Defence Exhibition & Conference)’ held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from February 17 to February 21.

  IDEX is the largest defense exhibition in the Middle East and North Africa region, and is an international event in which major defense companies and government agencies from around the world participate. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration has been supporting the overseas expansion of domestic defense SMEs by providing exhibition hall rental fees, etc. to the SME Hall operated by the Korea Defense Industry Promotion Association. However, starting this year, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration will operate the Government PR Hall and the SME Hall in an integrated manner, thereby promoting joint K-defense marketing as a one-team between the government and companies, and plans to further strengthen the global competitiveness of domestic defense companies.

  This integrated Korean Pavilion will include: △Exhibition of products from domestic defense SMEs △Promotion of the Korean defense industry at the government level △Networking with government and corporate officials from major export destinations such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. It is expected that the operation of this integrated Korean Pavilion will help resolve the difficulties that SMEs face when entering overseas markets individually and enhance the brand value of the Korean defense industry.

 In particular, in order to strengthen defense cooperation with the UAE, we will create an ‘L-SAM Zone’ to intensively promote the excellence of our guided weapon systems to key figures in the UAE government and businesses, and hold a joint Korea-UAE seminar to strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries.

  The Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s International Cooperation Officer (Senior Civil Servant Tae-gon Kim) stated, “Starting with IDEX 2025, we plan to continuously pursue joint government-business marketing, such as operating an integrated Korean pavilion at major international defense industry exhibitions in the future.” He added, “In addition, we will do our best to help domestic defense SMEs develop overseas markets and for the continued growth of K-defense industry through various support systems.”

  The Defense Acquisition Program Administration hopes that the operation of this integrated Korean Pavilion will provide domestic defense companies with more effective promotional opportunities in the global market and serve as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with overseas buyers and government agencies. The Agency also plans to continue to provide support so that domestic defense companies can become competitive on the international stage.