The Black Eagles, South Korea's Air Force special aerobatics team, conducts a rehearsal over central Seoul, Friday, for the upcoming 75th anniversary celebration flight of Armed Forces Day. Yonhap
South Korea is gearing up to host a large-scale military parade on Tuesday to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the alliance with the United States and the 75th anniversary of Armed Forces Day.
The event, which is the first to be held in 10 years, comes as tensions between the two Koreas remain high.
The 75th Armed Forces Day celebration spotlights six primary equipment categories: unmanned systems, Army TIGER, mechanized forces, artillery, protection and amphibious forces. These categories offer a comprehensive view of the armed forces’ state-of-the-art transformation.
The day falls on Oct. 1, but the event will take place on Tuesday, considering the Chuseok holiday is extended to a six-day break until Oct. 3.
Military personnel have been preparing at various locations, including Seoul Airport in Gyeonggi Province, to stage what they are calling a “historic performance.”
This grand spectacle, touted as the largest in the nation’s history, aims to underscore the themes of “A Strong Military, Robust Security and Peace through Strength.”
The ceremony will feature an impressive showcase of over 170 pieces of equipment. This parade serves as a platform for the nation to witness the full might of its military.
The event is divided into two segments ― the ceremony at Seoul Airport and the downtown Seoul parade.
With over 6,000 troops participating, including reservists, this celebration places a significant emphasis on the display of weaponry, allowing the public to get an up-close look at the domestically produced military equipment during the “Citizens’ Parade.”
Leading this parade are key players in South Korea’s defense, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer and the K2 Black Panther battle tank.
At the heart of this equipment display is the “Korean Three-axis System,” comprising the Kill Chain, Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) and Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR).
These core components, encompassing over 10 vital pieces of equipment, include long-range surface-to-air missiles (L-SAM), Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Cheongung, medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MSAM) and Patriot PAC-3 guided missiles.
Notably, during the parade, the Air Force’s special aerobatics team, the Black Eagles and the Army’s AH-64 Apache helicopters are scheduled to make a total of four flights over downtown Seoul.
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