F-22, B-52 warm up for Seoul's largest-ever air show
An F-22 Raptor flies above Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Monday, during a rehearsal flight for the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX), which will kick off, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
SEONGNAM, Gyeonggi Province — An F-22 Raptor stealth fighter zoomed across the blue autumn sky over Seoul Air Base, Monday, in a rare public appearance by one of America’s most advanced fighter jets.
The KF-21 Boramae, Korea's first domestically developed fighter jet, also flew over, making final preparations for its first public debut set for Tuesday.
Before flyovers of the fighter jets, a 30-minute performance was held by the Black Eagles, the Republic of Korea Air Force's aerobatic team, turning viewers skyward to the aerial maneuvers that included the formation of a "Taegeuk" pattern, the signature symbol of Korea's national flag, using smoke trails.
These were part of the rehearsal flights for the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition (ADEX), which will open Tuesday at the military airbase located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The rehearsal flights were disclosed to the press and early visitors such as Seongnam residents.
The six-day defense exhibition featuring cutting-edge aerospace and defense industry technology will gather 550 companies from 35 countries, marking the largest-ever edition of the exhibition since its inception in 1996 under the name Seoul Air Show.
The Republic of Korea Air Force's Black Eagles aerobatic team performs over Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
This year's event will highlight the military partnership between Korea and the United States, the organizers said, marking the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the two nations.
A B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber will conduct two flyovers during the opening ceremony, according to ADEX organizers and the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK).
The highly rare display in Korea of the U.S. strategic bomber capable of carrying nuclear weapons is seen as a move to enhance the visibility of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula and counter North Korea's increasing belligerence.
Speaking to the press on Monday, Col. Charles Cameron of the U.S. Air Force said the defense fair will be an opportunity to demonstrate the U.S.’ ironclad commitment to the Korea-U.S. alliance.
“And as we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the alliance, we have a larger participation from the U.S. military,” he said.
An ADEX official said the B-52 will not be on display on the ground after the flyby, but noted that it will be visible during its flyby at a relatively low altitude of 1,500 feet (457 meters).
Other U.S. military assets such as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system, the EA-18G Growler and ground equipment such as self-propelled howitzers, will also be featured during the exhibition.
Officials from local and foreign defense firms were busy making final preparations on Monday. Over 2,300 booths will be set up at six indoor exhibition halls, sized 250,000 square meters altogether. Korea's defense giants such as Hanwha, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), LIG Nex1 and Hyundai Rotem will display their state-of-the-art technologies.
About 100 foreign delegates from 55 countries are expected during the weekdays – from Tuesday through Friday ― and some 280,000 visitors are expected on the weekend when the event will be open to the general public.
ADEX organizers expressed hopes for the exhibition to lay the groundwork for achieving the nation's goal of becoming the fourth-largest player in the global arms market.
A visitor watches the Black Eagles, the aerobatic team of the Republic of Korea Air Force, at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Airbus eyes more partnerships with Korea
Amid anticipation that the defense fair will provide marketing opportunities for local defense contractors, European multinational aerospace giant Airbus, one of the participants of ADEX, said Monday that it would like to bolster partnerships with Korea possibly by establishing a research and development center here.
"Airbus' goal is to become a partner of choice for the development of local solutions in the helicopters, defense and space sectors, as well as in the supply chain," Loic Porcheron, Airbus' chief representative for South Korea, told reporters in Seoul.
Porcheron said Airbus is "studying the possibility of setting up an R&D center" in Korea, adding that the plan is in the conceptualization stage through discussions with local space and aerospace companies.