# South Korea Opens KADEX 2026 Defense Expo

South Korea’s government-backed KADEX 2026 defense procurement and export event is running October 6–10 at Cheongju OSCO, with bilateral procurement meetings scheduled for October 9. The event is showcasing opportunities involving counter-UAS systems, directed-energy weapons, AI-enabled armored vehicles, and intelligence software. Hanwha is discussing exports of a mobile laser system, while the planned K-NIFV program and forthcoming K-DEX exhibition provide additional market-engagement points. The K-NIFV development program is valued at ₩34.5 billion (approximately $25.7 million), with development scheduled for completion in March 2028.

- Companies with relevant defense capabilities can prioritize the October 9 bilateral meetings to present counter-drone, directed-energy, vehicle, or intelligence-software offerings to procurement counterparts.
- Hanwha’s mobile-laser export discussions and the K-NIFV program point to potential market activity in directed-energy systems and next-generation armored vehicles; suppliers should align their pitches with these specific capability areas.
- The event runs through October 10, 2026. The forthcoming K-DEX exhibition offers another identified engagement point for companies pursuing South Korean defense-market opportunities.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- South Korean Ministry of National Defense (MND)
- Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA)
- Agency for Defense Development (ADD)
- Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS)
- Republic of Korea Army (ROK Army)

### Vendors
- Hanwha Systems (Developer and exhibitor of laser and Space AI systems)
- Hanwha Aerospace (Developer of the Cheongwang laser system and K-NIFV)
- LIG Nex1 (Counter-UAS system developer)
- Poongsan (Munitions manufacturer presenting programmable fuze packages)
- Hyundai Rotem (K2 Black Panther tank manufacturer)

### Sources
- [Korea's AI Counter-Drone Arsenal Debuts on Global Stage as KADEX 2026 Opens](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/328656/20261006/koreas-ai-counter-drone-arsenal-debuts-global-stage-kadex-2026-opens.htm) - Tech Times