MADEX 2025 Concludes on a High Note
With more than 200 defense companies from 14 countries taking part and 21,313 visitors attending, the event concluded successfully as the largest edition in its history.
Held amid sweeping changes in the global maritime security landscape, the exhibition was widely seen as a pivotal moment that showcased the distinctive technology of Korea’s naval defense industry and helped drive the diversification of its export markets.
The Milestones MADEX 2025 Set for Korea’s Naval Defense Industry
[Busan BEXCO — Defense Correspondents’ Team] The 2025 International Maritime Defense Industry Exhibition (MADEX 2025), which offered a comprehensive view of the cutting-edge trends and future direction of the global maritime defense industry, was held at BEXCO in Busan, the heart of South Korea’s shipbuilding and maritime industries.
Co-hosted by the Republic of Korea Navy, the Korea International Trade Association and the Korea Navy Association, this year’s MADEX took place amid unprecedented media attention, amplified by the historic significance of the Navy’s 80th anniversary.
The exhibition became a focal point for defense diplomacy, drawing exceptional attention from defense officials worldwide as favorable external developments converged—including the Trump administration’s request for South Korean shipbuilding support, or “SOS,” as it seeks to rebuild the US Navy.
As the global maritime security paradigm rapidly shifts toward manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) and AI-enabled intelligent systems, MADEX 2025 served as a showcase for the convergence of advanced defense technologies and maritime industry capabilities.
1. A Record-Breaking Edition, Backed by the Numbers
MADEX 2025 set a new record as the largest edition in the event’s history, surpassing previous benchmarks in both scale and substance.
The exhibition area was expanded by more than 30 percent compared with the 2023 edition, with all 700 booths in BEXCO’s Exhibition Hall 1 filled to capacity.
Particularly notable was the strong turnout of overseas buyers and senior military officials. A total of 129 foreign delegates traveled to Busan, including naval and marine commanders, senior generals and high-ranking defense procurement officials from 30 countries.
More than 15,000 professional buyers, including 15 key overseas buyers from 13 countries invited through close cooperation with KOTRA, held intensive business meetings both inside and outside the exhibition halls, helping generate tangible contract opportunities.
2. A Head-to-Head Battle for the Future of Naval Technology
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean, the two companies that dominate South Korea’s special-purpose naval shipbuilding sector, went head-to-head with innovative lineups aimed at securing leadership in the future maritime battlespace.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Showcases a Cutting-Edge Portfolio
Drawing on its accumulated expertise in designing and building large naval vessels, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries presented a next-generation Korean Destroyer (KDDX) smart model, along with a broad range of customized export vessels developed for global markets.
Its advanced hull automation systems and stealth design technology, developed to maximize survivability when a vessel comes under attack, drew strong praise from US Navy officials and delegations from Asia and the Middle East.
Hanwha’s Integrated Defense Pavilion Highlights the Power of Synergy
Hanwha Group made a strong brand statement at this year’s MADEX by creating its first integrated defense pavilion, bringing together the capabilities of Hanwha Ocean, Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Aerospace.
- Hanwha Ocean: Showcasing its distinctive expertise in surface ships and submarines, the company placed the Jangbogo-III Batch-II model—the flagship of South Korea’s indigenous submarine program—at the center of its display.
- Hanwha Systems: The company demonstrated its software capabilities by combining an indigenous advanced combat management system (CMS), which serves as a vessel’s “brain,” with multifunction radars (MFR) and unmanned-force control systems.
- Hanwha Aerospace: By unveiling a next-generation lithium-ion battery-based energy storage system (ESS) designed to significantly extend submarines’ endurance during underwater operations, the company completed a fully integrated vertical solution for naval vessels.
3. MUM-T and AI Bring the Future of Naval Warfare to Life
The defining themes of MADEX 2025 were “AI-enabled autonomy” and “connectivity between different systems.” Rather than merely presenting concepts, exhibitors displayed unmanned platforms capable of being deployed in real-world operations.
In line with the Navy’s drive to establish the “Navy Sea Ghost” manned-unmanned teaming system, LIG Nex1 showcased an expanded lineup of Haegum unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) equipped with autonomous navigation technology, as well as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).
Visitors gained a tangible sense of the future maritime battlespace through demonstrations in which AI identified threats at sea in real time and linked data with strike assets.
Traditional aerospace leaders also entered the naval weapons market. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) unveiled for the first time its NI-500VT vertical-takeoff-and-landing unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, alongside an assault helicopter and mine-countermeasure helicopter that the Navy is considering for future acquisition. KAI also presented a vision for developing an indigenous maritime patrol aircraft platform based on the MC-X multipurpose transport aircraft, outlining a concrete alternative for South Korea’s future naval aviation capabilities.
Korean Air likewise presented an extensive strategy for integrating its high-performance unmanned aircraft technologies with shipborne platforms.
4. Global Defense Giants Turn MADEX into a Forum for Practical Defense Diplomacy
As the explosive growth of South Korea’s defense market and its importance as an Asia-Pacific hub have come into sharper focus, leading global defense companies traveled to Korea in large numbers to strengthen partnerships.
- GE Aerospace and Rolls-Royce: The two companies strengthened technological cooperation in gas turbines and propulsion systems, the power plants at the heart of the Republic of Korea Navy’s major vessels.
- Babcock, Thales and Leonardo: By introducing advanced ship maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) systems as well as cutting-edge anti-submarine and anti-air sensors, the companies accelerated discussions with Korean shipbuilders on joint overseas expansion.
These global companies used MADEX as more than a conventional trade show. They proposed multinational cooperation models that would combine the exceptional cost competitiveness and delivery performance of Korean shipbuilders with their own proprietary technologies, turning the exhibition into a venue for reshaping global supply chains.
5. Public-Private-Military Cooperation on Display Through Dynamic Events and Demonstrations
This year’s MADEX went beyond static product displays inside BEXCO, making full use of Busan’s geographic advantages through a dynamic, multidimensional program.
Demonstration of a Future Amphibious Operation
The event that attracted the most attention was a future amphibious operation demonstration held at the Busan Operational Base and built around manned-unmanned teaming.
In the scenario, unmanned surface vessels and unmanned aircraft were deployed ahead of the landing force to neutralize enemy mines, then identify and destroy coastal defense missile sites and small enemy vessels. The real-time demonstration left a powerful impression on military officials.
Public Day Opens the Event to the Nation
The final day of the event, May 31, was designated as “Public Day,” opening the exhibition to the general public.
Through a joint Navy-Marine Corps public relations pavilion, the Navy operated an advanced-force zone featuring 3D holograms as well as an exhibition zone marking the Navy’s 80th anniversary, helping build a stronger connection with visitors.
The Navy also opened the large amphibious transport ship Marado (LPH, approximately 14,500 tons) and the new Gyeongnam-class frigate (FFG-II, approximately 3,600 tons) to the public. The ship tours made a significant contribution to strengthening public trust in national defense.
6. [Overall Assessment] MADEX 2025’s Message and the Challenges Facing Korea’s Naval Defense Industry
A comprehensive analysis of MADEX 2025 shows that South Korea’s naval defense industry has transformed itself from a country that simply builds warships into a “global high-value system integrator.” The strategy of selling not just well-built ships but an integrated ecosystem encompassing unmanned systems, combat systems, aviation assets and environmentally friendly energy is beginning to gain traction in global markets.
Several challenges, however, must be addressed if Korea is to secure a decisive advantage in the global naval defense market.
- Taking the lead in the MRO market: Just as important as selling warships is establishing the infrastructure and standardized contract models needed to provide reliable maintenance, repair and overhaul services throughout the full life cycle of a weapons system.
- Developing independent core technologies: Urgent investment is needed to further reduce reliance on foreign technologies in critical software areas of the future battlespace, including AI and communications and control for manned-unmanned teaming, while securing proprietary core technologies.
- Sustainable governance: Leading domestic companies such as HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean must avoid destructive price competition and pursue a cooperative strategy as “Team Korea” to compete with major overseas defense conglomerates.
[Epilogue] Korea’s Maritime Reach, Confirmed in Busan, Now Turns to the World
MADEX 2025 was more than a quantitative success, with record attendance and the largest exhibition footprint ever. It was an opportunity for South Korea to announce to the world the strength of its national standing and the capabilities of its maritime defense technology.
In this turbulent era of deepening global maritime security challenges, the blue flame of Korea’s naval defense industry that burned brightly at BEXCO in Busan is now fully prepared to move beyond the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula and reach the open seas.
That is why MADEX 2027, which will return in an even more advanced form two years from now, is already so eagerly anticipated.
