Seoul, Oct 29 (IANS): India has a large presence at an international exhibition that opened here Tuesday to showcase cutting-edge aerospace and defence industry technology.

More than 300 companies from 33 countries are taking part in the six-day ADEX at the Korea International Exhibition Centre (Kintex) in Ilsan, Gyeonggi province.

"The aerospace industry is the key to national security, which sets a ground stone for peace," South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won said at the opening ceremony.

The biennial exhibition, one of the largest aerospace and defence industry expositions in Asia, is expected to provide marketing opportunities for defence vendors and a diplomatic venue for participating military leaders.

India, as part of its efforts to enter the global arms trade and expand its global outreach in the Asia-Pacific region, has a large presence at the show.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has brought two indigenous tactical missiles on mobile launchers to an international show for the first time.

Avinash Chander, scientific advisor to defence minister and chief of DRDO, is leading an 18-member delegation to the show.

During the week, 68 senior military officials and major defence firm CEOs from 45 nations are set to discuss ways to expand partnership and boost their defence industries.

At the exhibition, a great number of state-of-the-art technologies are on display.

EADS will demonstrate the Eurofighter Typhoon at an outdoor exhibition hall, allowing visitors to get aboard the two-engine fighter jet and wear a "smart helmet" on a simulator.

A team of four German pilots will explain the structure and function of the two-engine multirole fighter, which was proposed to Seoul for the fighter acquisition program, the company said.

Boeing will show the latest proposed F-15 variant with advanced features through an interactive display and simulator to show combat-proven capabilities and its latest avionics system.

Lockheed will also display a mock-up of its F-35 stealth jet.

In addition, locally produced aircraft, vehicles and guns will be introduced to create an opportunity for international export marketing.

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) will present the FA-50, a light attack aircraft variant of the T-50 supersonic trainer, the utility helicopter Surion and the tilt-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle.

The K-2 main battle tank, K-9 self-propelled howitzer, K-10 ammunition resupply vehicle, K-21 infantry fighting vehicle and a new tactical vehicle will also be displayed.

Active military diplomacy regarding mutual matters of interest between participating nations is expected to be developed and improved, as well as practical B2G and B2B meetings take place.

Kim Myung-ho, vice president of the Korea Aerospace Industries Association (KAIA), in a media briefing said there will be contract signing, estimated at $500 million to $1.5 billion, along with contract consulting worth $5 billion.

On the sidelines of the fair, Air Force chiefs of nine nations will gather for an international symposium to discuss the aerospace and defence industries in relation to the changing security environment.