- Major government backing and strategic venue expected to attract global defense leaders
- Strategic location at Gyeryongdae, the tri-service headquarters, expected to attract senior military leaders and key decision-makers.
KADEX 2026, the Korea Army International Defense Industry Exhibition, will be held from October 6 to 10, 2026, at Gyeryongdae in Chungcheongnam-do. Recognized as Asia’s leading exhibition dedicated to land defense, the upcoming edition is expected to be the largest in the event’s history. The exhibition will host approximately 450 participating companies across 2,032 booths, highlighting its continued growth as a key platform for the global defense industry.
Gyeryongdae, the chosen venue, serves as the central hub of South Korea’s military operations, housing the headquarters of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Its proximity to major institutions such as the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) makes it an ideal location for engaging high-level military officials and defense policymakers.
KADEX 2026 is supported by a wide range of government and military organizations, including the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and all branches of the armed forces. Additional backing comes from national research institutes and government ministries involved in defense, technology, and industry.
This strong institutional support enables the event to host official overseas delegations, facilitate government-to-government (G2G) programs, and organize procurement consultations and live equipment demonstrations. As a result, KADEX is positioned not only as an exhibition but also as a strategic platform for defense cooperation and export promotion.
Unlike conventional exhibitions, KADEX 2026 will organize its exhibition space according to operational battlefield functions. Key sectors include Intelligence & C4I, Maneuver, Firepower, Protection & Anti-Drone, Space & Aerospace, and Power Support. This approach enhances interaction between system developers and supporting industries while improving navigation for visiting buyers.
A dedicated “KADEX LAB Defense Startup Innovation Pavilion” will also be introduced, focusing on next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems that are shaping the future of modern warfare.
Leading South Korean defense companies—including Hanwha, Hyundai, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), LIG Nex1, Korean Air, and Poongsan—have already confirmed their participation. In addition, national pavilions from ten nations, including the United States, Saudi Arabia, India, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Latvia will be featured.
The exhibition is hosted by the Association of the Republic of Korea Army (AROKA), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the development and policy initiatives of the ROK Army. AROKA previously organized the biennial DX KOREA exhibition from 2014 to 2022. Beginning in 2024, the event was rebranded as KADEX and located to Gyeryongdae to enhance its scale and global competitiveness.
A representative from AROKA stated that KADEX 2026 aims to go beyond a traditional exhibition by fostering collaboration among government, military, industry, and academia, while promoting Korea’s defense capabilities on the international stage.
