L-SAM and U.S. troops to appear at large-scale military parade on Sept. 26

Defense

Published: 14 Sep. 2023, 17:06

L-SAM and U.S. troops to appear at large-scale military parade on Sept. 26

Korean Air Force's Black Eagles aerobatic team flies over Seoul on Aug. 31 during practices for the military ceremony of Armed Forces Day on Sept. 26. [YONHAP]

South Korea's Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM), developed to target North Korean ballistic missiles, is set to make its first public appearance during an upcoming military parade in central Seoul on Sept. 26.

Korea's Armed Forces Day is Oct.1.

The Korean missile interceptor, a crucial component of Korea's missile defense triad alongside the Hyunmoo-V ballistic missile, will be showcased along with other advanced weaponry Korea has developed in recent years, including the country's first homegrown supersonic fighter jet, the KF-21, and a light armed helicopter (LAH).

The parade will also feature different types of drones, including those designed for surveillance and others used for precision targeting in combat. These drones will be presented as part of the newly established drone operation command.

The military parade, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Korean military, marks the first such event in a decade.

Previously held every five years since 1998, the parade was suspended in 2018 during the Moon Jae-in administration's efforts to improve relations with North Korea.

Instead, the ceremony was downsized to an air show.

The Defense Ministry says that this year's military parade will be larger and more advanced than the last one held in 2013.

Around 300 soldiers from the Eighth U.S. Army will be marching alongside the Korean military for the first time this year to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the military alliance between the two countries.

Special forces personnel from both the Korean and U.S. military will participate in sky diving demonstrations, and seven U.S. fighter jets, including F-16s, will take part in a large-scale aerial display.

The granddaughters of Mark Wayne Clark, the UN Command's commander-in-chief who signed the armistice that ended the fighting of the 1950-1953 Korean War, have been invited to attend the parade.

The Korean Defense Ministry has announced that approximately 6,700 servicemen will participate in the military celebration, showcasing 340 pieces of military equipment, including the self-propelled howitzer K9 Thunder, battle tank K2 Black Panther and unmanned submersibles.

Korean infantry will be equipped with advanced gear and weaponry developed under the Warrior Platform, a project aimed at modernizing combat troops.

For the first time, 21 fighter jets of six different models, including F-35As, will fly in formation.

The ceremony will commence at Seoul Air Base at 10 a.m., while the military parade is scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. along the route between Gwanghwamun and Namdaemun.

The Yoon Suk Yeol administration, now in its second year, has prioritized strengthening Korea's military capabilities, including the aggressive export of Korean advanced defense products.

According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, Korea's defense product exports reached $17 billion last year, a significant increase from $7 billion in 2021 and nearly six times the annual average of $3 billion between 2010 and 2020.

The combined exports of the four major defense contractors — Hanwha, Korea Aerospace Industries, LIG Nex1 and Hyundai Rotem — accounted for 34 percent of their total revenue in the first half of this year, a significant increase compared to 16.6 percent in 2022.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]