YIDEX 2026, a defense industry exhibition hosted by Changwon Industry Promotion Agency in partnership with the Republic of Korea Navy, will be held from January 1 to 3 at the Korea Naval Academy and Naval Port Pier 11 in Jinhae-gu, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.
The Yi Sun-sin Defense Industry Exhibition is the nation's only Navy-affiliated defense exhibition, held biennially. The event utilizes an actual naval port, combining field authenticity and expertise in the maritime defense sector.
This year's exhibition will host approximately 100 domestic and international defense companies along with foreign buyers. Organizers are targeting cumulative attendance of more than 30,000 visitors.
The exhibition will feature zones for defense parts and equipment as well as venture and civilian enterprise pavilions. Export consultation sessions and Biz-Networking programs will facilitate connections between domestic and international buyers and companies. A "Smart Navy Conference" will also be held to share advanced maritime equipment and future naval technologies.
Experiential programs will include maritime combat equipment demonstrations at the naval port, an unmanned submersible experience center, and a virtual maritime training center. These are designed to allow visitors to directly observe and experience naval capabilities and related technologies.
"We will strengthen the foundation for win-win cooperation between large and small-to-medium enterprises and lead export expansion in the defense and aviation parts industry," said Lee Jeong-hwan, Director of Changwon Industry Promotion Agency. "We will prepare for the exhibition to grow step by step into an international defense exhibition."
Changwon Industry Promotion Agency expects the event to establish Changwon as a hub city for maritime defense industries.