Korea to host int'l ground weapons exhibit in Sept.

South Korea will host an international ground forces arms exhibition in September that will showcase the latest high-tech advances in weapons systems, organizers for the upcoming event said Sunday.

The DX Korea 2016 hosted by the Association of the Republic of Korea Army will be held at the Korea International Exhibition Center, northwest of Seoul, from Sept. 7-10.

It said 220 arms manufacturers from all over the world, as well as top military brass from 35 countries, are expected to tour the fair.

"The exhibition will be the largest of its kind ever held in the country and will allow visitors to check out firsthand the latest trends in ground warfare equipment," a source said.

The event is the second to be held following the one in 2014.

Besides AROKA, the defense and industry ministries, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration and the Korea Defense Industry Association are sponsoring the fair this year.

For 2016, South Korean arms manufacturers plan to showcase such systems as the K-9 self-propelled howitzer, the Raybolt man-portable antitank guided missile, and its latest tanks and armored fighting vehicles.

Organizers said that participating companies plan to set up 950 booths, up from just 350 booths by 100 participating companies in the inaugural gathering two years earlier.

Local arms manufacturers Hanwha Thales, LIG Nex1, Poongsan Corp., Hyundai Rotem Co. and Kia Motors Corp. will be on hand to hold talks with potential foreign buyers. The companies plan to hold a live fire exercise to show off the potential of the K-9, K-21 mechanized infantry fighting vehicle, Raybolt missile and other military hardware.

The South Korean Army's K1A1 and K2 main battle tanks will be on display as well for the general public.

Besides South Korean companies, 80 foreign firms from the United States, Germany and Israel, will take part in the exhibition.

AROKA, meanwhile, said that locally made equipment not only meets South Korea's military requirements but has considerable export potential.

It said the upcoming DX Korea fair will promote South Korean arms prowess to the world, which can lead to future contracts. (Yonhap)