On the afternoon of the 22nd, above Sacheon Airfield in Gyeongnam Province, the domestically developed supersonic fighter jet KF-21 ‘Boramae’ roared into the crisp autumn sky. The KF-21 Boramae—South Korea’s first indigenously built fighter jet, officially handed over to the Air Force last September after a decade and seven months of development—made its debut in flight. As it took off, waves of cheers and applause surged from the crowd gathered near the runway. A visitor from Gyeonggi Province, accompanied by her child, remarked, “I’m completely moved,” unable to tear her gaze away from the sky.
The ‘2026 Sacheon Air Show,’ designed to highlight the current achievements and future vision of South Korea’s aerospace and defense sectors, officially kicked off on the 22nd. Organized jointly by the Republic of Korea Air Force, Gyeongnam Province, Sacheon City, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), the event will span four days, concluding on the 25th, at Sacheon Airfield.
This year’s air show marks a significant evolution, shifting from a traditional flight display and public festival to a comprehensive ‘global business platform.’ For the first time, it features the major industrial exhibition ‘Global Aerospace & Defense Expo (GADEX),’ positioning Sacheon as a key export hub for South Korea’s K-defense industry.
◇ Black Eagles’ Taegeuk Acrobatics… Advanced Ground Weapons Display ‘Majesty’
The opening ceremony’s standout moment was the precision aerobatic performance by the Air Force’s elite flight team, the Black Eagles. Eight domestically manufactured supersonic advanced trainers, the T-50s, executed stunning maneuvers in tight formation, leaving spectators awestruck as they traced a massive heart and a Taegeuk symbol in the sky using white smoke trails.
The Black Eagles are set to conduct seven performances throughout the air show. In addition, Australia’s civilian aerobatic team ‘Paul Bennett’ will take part, alongside high-altitude parachute jumps by specialized Air Force personnel.
The ground exhibition also drew large crowds. Visitors flocked around the first mass-produced KF-21, displayed in full scale by the Air Force, eager to take commemorative photos. Prominent K-defense systems—including the medium-range surface-to-air missile ‘Cheongung-II’ and the anti-aircraft gun ‘Vulcan’—were prominently featured.
◇ 130 Domestic and International Companies Gather… Sacheon Emerges as K-Defense Business Hub
At the 7,250-square-meter ‘Global Aerospace & Defense Expo (GADEX)’ site located alongside the airfield, active export-related discussions were taking place. A total of 130 organizations—108 from within South Korea and 22 international—joined the industrial exhibition, establishing 283 booths.
Sacheon, the host city, serves as the core of South Korea’s aerospace sector, housing Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), responsible for developing and manufacturing the KF-21, along with the Korea AeroSpace Administration, which oversees national aerospace policy. The event also featured global defense giants like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Rolls-Royce. Domestic firms engaged directly with these international players to assess demand in overseas markets and explore avenues for joining global supply chains and pursuing technological partnerships.
Furthermore, one-on-one business-to-business (B2B) consultation sessions were conducted with approximately 20 international buyers, complemented by company visits organized by KOTRA. Through a military-industry exchange (G2B) initiative tied to the gathering of air force chiefs worldwide, representatives from various air forces toured local defense manufacturers’ production facilities and discussed potential export deals. That evening, Gyeongnam Province hosted an extensive welcome dinner at Ssol Beach in Namhae for around 100 high-level officials from both domestic and foreign military and corporate sectors, aiming to strengthen professional networks.
During the opening ceremony, Governor Park Wan-su of Gyeongnam Province remarked, “Sacheon is South Korea’s sole city capable of producing full aircraft and stands as the epicenter of the K-defense industry, where cutting-edge aerospace infrastructure is concentrated. We aim to transform this Sacheon Air Show—integrating domestic and international exhibitions and business platforms—into a global celebration that highlights the strengths of South Korea’s aerospace capabilities to the world.” Mayor Park Dong-sik of Sacheon City added, “We have carefully prepared this event to deliver tangible defense export results, going beyond mere spectacle.”
◇ Weekend Highlights: Rover Challenge, Geekble Lectures, and More for Future Generations
Weekend activities will center on space and science education for teens and families. On the 24th, the ‘2026 Korea Space Rover Challenge,’ a nationwide rocket pitch contest, will coincide with the Sacheon Aerospace Education Festival. On the 25th, a special lecture by the popular science and engineering content creators ‘Geekble’ is planned.
Additional festival offerings include experience flights on transport aircraft and performances by military bands and honor guards. To manage crowd flow, Sacheon City will run shuttle buses frequently between key locations and the venue. Flight and performance schedules may be adjusted due to weather conditions, so advance verification is advised.
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