Seoul to host defense exhibition next month

South Korea will host a defense exhibition next month to showcase global high-tech weapons, including the U.S. Global Hawk surveillance aircraft, the Ministry of National Defense said Thursday.

The Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition will run for six days starting Oct. 20 at the Seoul Air Base, just south of the capital.

Since the official launch of the exhibition in 2009, the ADEX 2015 will be the biggest of its kind, drawing 386 defense manufacturers from 32 countries, according to the ministry.

Cutting-edge aircraft to be on display will include the high-altitude U.S. unmanned Global Hawk surveillance aircraft, the

F-22 Raptor stealth fighter and the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport helicopter, as well as the Airbus Defense and Space's aerial refueling tanker, the ministry noted.

About 85 top military officials and experts from 45 countries will also join what will become a stage for military diplomacy, the ministry said.

South Korea will pitch homegrown trainer jets, including the KT-1 and the T-50, as well as K-2 tanks and K-9 self-propelled guns to global buyers.

The event will also include an air show involving the South Korean Air Force's Black Eagles flight display team, and South Korean and U.S. fighter jets, it said. (Yonhap)