[비즈한국] The ‘Defense Expo Korea (DX KOREA 2024)’ has kicked off at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. While the splitting of the ground forces defense exhibition has cast a shadow over its overall success, it is drawing attention for showcasing a wide variety of technologies and equipment that offer a glimpse into the future battlefield, including ‘power support systems.’
This exhibition is being held at KINTEX Exhibition Center 2 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the 25th. About 150 defense companies from 15 countries are participating. Procurement consultations are taking place with various nations, including the Philippines. DX KOREA, first held in 2014, is a premier defense exhibition that takes place biennially, marking its 6th edition this year. The theme of the exhibition is ‘Peace and Future, the Promise of Time.’ The goal is for the government, military, and private sector to form a consensus on the era's calling for the defense industry through this event.
Just two years ago, DX KOREA was highlighted as the nation's only ground weapons exhibition, but it split into two events this year following conflicts between the Republic of Korea Army Association and Defense Expo over accounting issues, profit distribution, and leadership last year. Defense Expo has maintained the brand name "DX KOREA" and completed its trademark registration in 2021. The Army Association is planning to host a separate defense exhibition, the ‘Korea Army International Defense Exhibition (KADEX),’ in October.
Although the military and political circles attempted to mediate to integrate the defense exhibitions, those efforts ultimately failed, leading to the split. As a result, the absence of major defense companies such as Hanwha000880, KAI, and LIG Nex1079550 is a disappointing aspect of this exhibition. However, some observers note that there are still plenty of things to see due to the participation of small and medium-sized defense support companies that possess outstanding technical capabilities applicable to both military and civilian markets.
Gwangjang Innotech showcased various products applying ‘aerogel’ material, which enhances survivability in harsh environments such as extreme high and low temperatures. Based on a long-term research cooperation relationship with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the company has conducted joint military-civilian technology cooperation projects, developing military power support system products that withstand severe cold and extreme heat by applying aerogel fusion technology.
At this exhibition, they unveiled multi-functional survival suits, tactical wetsuits, tactical cold-weather tops, and crew uniforms for tracked vehicles, all featuring aerogel fusion technology. In particular, the ‘multi-functional survival suit’ can be used for various purposes during operations and training. It reduces the volume and weight of existing power support equipment by condensing their individual functions into a minimal form for extreme battlefield environments. By applying aerogel blankets and nano-blanket new materials—which are waterproof, flexible, and have low thermal conductivity—it increases the chances of survival if isolated in enemy territory or harsh conditions. It can also evade drone tracking and attacks. Using uniforms and camouflage nets with aerogel fusion technology that blocks thermal detection can help soldiers and military equipment avoid drone attacks and detection.
The crew uniform for tracked vehicles was developed for personnel operating tanks, self-propelled howitzers, and armored vehicles. If the vehicle is hit and a high-temperature flame explosion occurs, this product prevents secondary damage caused by burns and melting, allowing time for crew members to escape and be rescued.
Park Sang-ki, CEO of Gwangjang Innotech, said, "We have received enthusiastic responses from countries like the U.S., Pakistan, Italy, and Mongolia. Specifically, senior officials from the Mongolian Ministry of Defense said they wanted to import them right away. However, I have a wish for our own military to wear them first. Advanced nations like the U.S. or Japan perform extensive testing before officially adopting high-quality equipment. I hope our military handles this wisely and provides a testbed so that soldiers can wear warm and lightweight gear even in winter."
Military equipment specialist Hessed Korea introduced bulletproof vests specifically designed for female soldiers. The company specializes in state-of-the-art bulletproof vests developed through a technical partnership with TYR Tactical, a U.S. company specializing in tactical gear for special operations.
Recently, as the number of female soldiers in combat branches has increased, the need for dedicated bulletproof vests has grown. However, male bulletproof vests do not fit flat against the chest, limiting their ballistic performance. Additionally, excessive and continuous chest pressure is uncomfortable during missions and is not good for health. The female-exclusive bulletproof vest created by Hessed Korea has been adopted as an excellent commercial product by the Ministry of National Defense, certified as suitable for military use, and is currently undergoing testing by the military. A female-specific combat uniform that accounts for body shape is also currently under development.
Han Ji-hye, Vice President of Hessed Korea, hinted, "Female soldiers will be wearing Hessed Korea products during filming for 'Iron Squad W,' the first female military survival show on television, where they will engage in fierce competition for the title of South Korea's strongest female soldiers."