Hanwha Aerospace shows engines, drones and Nuri rocket at Sacheon Air Show
In short
Hanwha Aerospace said it is taking part in the 2026 Sacheon Air Show, which opened on 22 October at Sacheon airfield in South Gyeongsang and runs to 25 October. It is exhibiting an advanced aero engine, a turbofan engine for drones, the Mohave STOL drone, a canister-type interceptor drone and the Nuri rocket.
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Hanwha Aerospace said on 22 October that it is taking part in the 2026 Sacheon Air Show, held at Sacheon airfield in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang province. The show opened that day and runs to 25 October. This year it combines the existing aviation festival with the Space, Aviation and Defense Industry Exhibition (GADEX), and 130 domestic and foreign companies and institutions are taking part. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Seoul Economic Daily and Chosun Ilbo reported that export consultation meetings and business meetings between global companies are also being held. Yonhap said GADEX is being held for the first time at this year's show; the other outlets did not say this. [ 1 , 4 , 5 ]
In aviation, Hanwha Aerospace is showing an advanced aero engine it plans to develop for next-generation fighters including the KF-21, and a 5,500-pound turbofan engine for drones that it developed with domestic technology. Yonhap said a model of the advanced engine is on display. The company is also exhibiting the Mohave STOL short take-off and landing drone and a canister-type, or launch-tube, interceptor drone. [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Newsis reported that the Mohave STOL is being developed jointly with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and recently completed a simulated combat flight demonstration. [ 3 ]
In space, the company is presenting the Nuri rocket, which succeeded on its fifth launch on 7 October. Hanwha Aerospace is the civilian system integrator and takes part in Nuri's manufacture and launch operation with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and more than 300 participating companies. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Seoul Economic Daily and Chosun Ilbo reported that the government recently designated the Changwon national industrial complex as a specialized zone for advanced aero engines. They said Gyeongnam province plans, with 43 companies including Hanwha Aerospace, to build an industry ecosystem running from core materials and parts development to test certification and production. [ 1 , 5 ]
Hanwha Aerospace signed a series of agreements after a cooperation declaration ceremony in February, including memorandums on aero engine materials and parts and on engine machining, and an industry-academia-research agreement on drones. It says it is widening cooperation with 421 core materials and parts suppliers in Gyeongnam. A company official said it would keep developing advanced technology with its partners and expand into global markets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The company is using the show to present its work with regional suppliers as well as its products. The documents give no sales or contract figures from the show.
Key facts
- The 2026 Sacheon Air Show opened on 22 October at Sacheon airfield in Gyeongnam and runs to 25 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- This year's show combines the existing aviation festival with the Space, Aviation and Defense Industry Exhibition (GADEX), with 130 domestic and foreign companies and institutions taking part. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Hanwha Aerospace is showing an advanced aero engine it plans to develop for next-generation fighters including the KF-21, and a domestically developed 5,500-pound turbofan engine for drones. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]
- It is also showing the Mohave STOL short take-off and landing drone and a canister-type interceptor drone. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Nuri rocket, which succeeded on its fifth launch on 7 October, is on display; Hanwha Aerospace is the civilian system integrator. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Hanwha Aerospace says it works with 421 core materials and parts suppliers in the Gyeongnam region. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Hanwha Aerospace is taking part in the 2026 Sacheon Air Show, which opened on 22 October and runs to 25 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Nuri rocket succeeded on its fifth launch on 7 October, and Hanwha Aerospace takes part in its manufacture and launch operation as the civilian system integrator. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- Hanwha Aerospace is working with 421 materials and parts suppliers in the Gyeongnam region. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- The Mohave STOL is being co-developed with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and recently completed a simulated combat flight demonstration. Only one outlet gives this.
- Whether GADEX is being held for the first time. Yonhap says GADEX is held for the first time at this show; the other outlets say only that it was combined with the existing aviation festival.