Some 132 companies from 16 countries have applied for participation in the Seoul Air Show 2001 to be launched during the week of October 15-21 at Seongnam Airport south of Seoul. It will also provide a venue for aerospace and defense industry trade in Northeast Asia including land/naval weapons systems.
The Seoul Air Show, the third of its kind since 1996, will be an expanded event as defense ground equipment business has been added to the traditional aerospace sector. Show organizers estimate that as many as 25 firms from 25 countries will take part in the event.
Among those applying for participation are Boeing of the U.S., Dassault-Aviation of France, Eurofighter of Europe and Sukhoi of Russia, the four major aircraft makers competing to be picked as purveyor of Korea's next-generation fighter fleet project. Also joining the aerospace festival are Lockheed, Martin Marietta, General Electric and Raytheon, all from the U.S., and Airbus from Europe.
Among the hot aircraft on display on the ground will be F-15E of the U.S., Rafale of France, Su-35 of Russia, along with military planes from the Korean Air Force (ROKAF), U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Forces stationed in Korea. The air show is co-hosted by ROKAF, the Korea Aerospace Industries Association and the Korean Defense Industry Association.
During public access days as well as demonstration flights, a team of Black Eagles from ROKAF and a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird team will perform separate demonstration flights.
Organizers say minister-level VIPs will be invited from some 30 countries to promote business activities during the air show, which fetched $550 million in business deals in 1998.
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Seoul Air Show in October will Promote Business Deals
