Korean defense manufacturers are showing their military equipment and weapons at the biennial Eurosatory international defense and security industry trade show in Paris that opened Monday for a five-day run.

The defense expo -- the largest of its kind in the world -- brought together a total of 1,600 companies from 70 countries.

Among the 21 firms from Korea was Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd., which sought to promote the nation’s first domestically developed military helicopter, the Surion. The company’s officials said they planned to target international markets with chopper technology that was part of the 1.3 trillion won ($1.12 billion) military procurement project.

The South Korean Army, as well as the police, are using Surion.

The KAI is currently seeking to export Surion to countries such as Indonesia, Philippines, Chile and the Czech Republic, which have all imported the Korea-developed KT-1 and T-50 trainer jets in the past.

Hanhwa Techwin demonstrated the K-9 Thunder self-propelled guns at Eurosatory. The 155 millimeter howitzer caught the attention of many European nations, with which the company seeks to hold a presentation session.

Kia Motors displayed a life-sized model of the light tactical vehicle, which is described as the Korean version of the four-wheel drive military light truck Humvee. The vehicle is slated to be the Korean military’s first multipurpose wheeled vehicle and is about to enter mass production.

Korea’s second-largest carmaker also showcased the concept car of its cargo vehicle and armored reconnaissance vehicle.

Other firms paraded the anti-submarine sonobuoy, an automatic gun barrel cleaning system and a high-powered portable radio communication device at the expo.

By Yoon Min-sik(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)

Joint Press Corps