GOYANG, Gyeonggi Province ― An international air defense exhibition will kick off here Tuesday with the aim of boosting local defense exports and military-industry cooperation, organizers said Monday.

Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2013 will run through Sunday at KINTEX in Ilsan, Goyang City, showcasing the world’s state-of-the-art weapons and equipment.

“This exhibition is unique in that it showcases both land and aerial defense systems together ― something that we believe will create s synergic effect,” Kim Myung-ho, vice president of Korea Aerospace Industries Association, said at a press conference.

More than 360 firms from 28 countries have joined the exhibition. Among the firms are Lockheed Martin, Boeing, European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, Northrop Grumman, Rolls-Royce, Rafael, TAURUS Systems GmbH and Gulfstream.

South Korean firms will display domestic products such as FA-50 light attack aircraft, K-9 self-propelled howitzers, K-2 battle tanks, Surion utility helicopters and K-21 armored vehicles.

Nearly 70 high-level defense industry and military officials from 45 countries will participate in the event hosted by Korea Aerospace Industries Association, Korea Defense Industry Association and Korea Trade-Investment.

It is the ninth edition of the biannual festival since it began as “Seoul Air Show” in 1996.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)