Aviation, Defense and Logistics Expo opens in Gumi, drawing attention

【Financial News, Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province = Reporter Kim Jang-wook】 A business opportunity has opened in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, linking the latest technologies in aviation, defense and logistics with export consultations, investment consulting and recruitment by defense-industry companies, drawing interest.
North Gyeongsang Province and Gumi City will host the 2026 Aviation Defense Logistics Expo (GADLEX) at GumiCo for three days, from the 28th to the 30th.
With 94 companies and organizations taking part and a record 207 booths, the event will offer a wide range of programs, including business consultations between global aviation and defense companies such as The Boeing Company and Airbus SE and Korean companies, investment and management consulting, recruitment programs, specialized seminars, displays of advanced equipment, and hands-on activities for the public.
The event is also set to serve as a practical forum for business exchanges that supports companies in entering overseas markets, attracting investment and securing talent, going beyond a simple exhibition of technology and products.
Mayor Kim Jang-ho said, “This event is an important occasion for global aviation and defense companies and Korean companies to meet, explore new opportunities for cooperation, and connect with exports, investment and talent development,” and emphasized, “Building on Gumi’s strong manufacturing base and the technological capabilities of its defense companies, we will expand domestic and international cooperation networks and actively support local companies in entering global markets.”
Eight global companies, including Airbus SE, The Boeing Company, Safran, GE Aerospace, Embraer, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Thales and Bell, will take part in the event.
Offset-trade export consultations between these companies and Korean firms will support domestic SMEs in joining global supply chains and expanding their overseas sales channels. The event is expected to give companies in the aviation, defense and logistics sectors an opportunity to engage directly with overseas companies and showcase their technological capabilities and product competitiveness.
The 2026 Gumi Defense Industry Partnership (GDIP) will also be held in conjunction with the expo over two days, from the 27th to the 28th.
Military attachés from 15 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy, based in South Korea, as well as representatives of Korean defense companies, are expected to attend, share a vision for the future of K-defense and explore ways to expand international defense cooperation.
The city plans to use the expo to expand technological exchanges and cooperation between companies in the aviation, defense and logistics industries, and to strengthen regional industrial competitiveness by linking global defense cooperation with exports, investment attraction and talent development.

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