After being banned from weapons exhibitions across Europe, Israel is participating in the International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025 in Seoul, South Korea.
Israel’s International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) at the Defense Ministry is leading the delegation of Israeli defense companies to the exhibition.
Five leading Israeli defense companies are participating: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, SDC, and Ophir Optronics (part of MKS Group), showcasing a wide range of advanced, operationally proven technologies in aerospace, space, and defense sectors.
SIBAT has also established a national pavilion for the participating Israeli companies and will provide support for strategic business meetings with delegations and senior officials from around the world.
“Israel’s participation in the exhibition underscores the country’s commitment to continuing to strengthen defense and business relationships with Asia-Pacific nations and advancing Israeli technologies in international markets,” the Defense Ministry said.
According to the ministry, the exhibition is considered one of the leading events in the Asia-Pacific region and offers a “unique platform” for presenting innovative technologies in military and civilian aviation, advanced air defense systems, cutting-edge vehicles, and unmanned systems.
The event also features professional conferences, demonstration flights of advanced fighter aircraft, and aerobatic displays.
“Israel’s participation in ADEX 2025 strengthens Israel’s position as a global leader in advanced defense technologies for the modern battlefield,” said the head of SIBAT, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas.
“South Korea represents a strategic and important market for Israeli industry, with significant potential for technological and business collaborations. The presence of leading Israeli defense companies at the exhibition demonstrates the importance we place on strengthening ties with Korea and regional countries.”
Opposition
Despite its participation, local activists have called for Israel to be kicked out of the exhibition, saying that “Israel, a Genocidal War Criminal State, Is Coming to South Korea for Selling Weapons.”
The petition by a local Korean NGO, People Power 21, said that “The international community is already barring Israeli arms companies complicit in genocide from their arms fairs. To stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the South Korean government must also ban the entry of Israeli government, military, and corporate representatives. South Korea must not continue to collude with or tolerate Israel’s war crimes.”
The NGO, which launched a petition with the aim to gather 3,000 signatures ahead of a press conference in front of Korea’s Defense Ministry on October 23, said that “Israeli arms companies profiting from weapons ‘combat-proven’ on Palestinians are perhaps the starkest example of the arms industry’s immorality. The South Korean government, too, has been complicit – continuing military cooperation and arms trade with Israel even after the genocide escalated. South Korea is participating in Israel’s war crimes.”
Banned from participating
Israel’s participation in ADEX comes while it has been banned from weapon exhibitions around the world, particularly in Europe and the Middle East. Most recently, Israeli companies had their registrations withdrawn from the upcoming Dubai Airshow following a “technical review.”
For the past two years, France has blocked Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at arms fairs in the country, and they have also been banned from participating in this year’s NEDS trade fair in Rotterdam. A defense industry source told Defense & Tech that the Dubai ban was similar to what happened in Holland.
While Israeli companies participated in Poland’s MSPO exhibition in September, some company employees were briefly detained by local authorities after being accused of involvement in the war in Gaza.
Israeli government and military officials have also been denied participation at the DSEI exhibition outside of London. Israeli companies, including Israel Aerospace Industries, Rafael, and Elbit, and dozens of smaller companies, nevertheless participated.