Korea's latest weapons revealed on Armed Forces Day — in pictures

Home > National > Defense

Korea's latest weapons revealed on Armed Forces Day — in pictures

Published: 02 Oct. 2024, 15:32 Updated: 02 Oct. 2024, 16:28

SARAH KIM
kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr

Quadruped robots and unmanned combat aerial vehicles are showcased at a ceremony marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Tuesday. [YONHAP]

South Korea showcased its latest weapons in a ceremony marking the 76th Armed Forces Day on Tuesday at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, followed by a military parade through downtown Seoul.

The South Korean military revealed its secretive Hyunmoo-5 missile, capable of delivering powerful retaliatory strikes against North Korea, on two transporter erector launchers for the first time during the ceremony.

Transporter erector launchers carrying Korea’s secretive Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missiles are revealed for the first time at a ceremony marking the 76th Armed Forces Day at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Tuesday. [NEWS1]

The Marine Corps' amphibious assault vehicles are seen at a ceremony marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Tuesday. [YONHAP]

The ground-to-ground missile, capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to eight tons, is a key asset in South Korea's Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) plan, part of the military's "three-axis" deterrence system. It can reportedly penetrate and destroy underground facilities, including bunkers more than 100 meters (328 feet) deep, which could potentially serve as hiding places for the North Korean leadership.

While a conventional weapon, the Hyunmoo-5 has destructive power comparable to tactical nuclear weapons and has thus been dubbed a "monster" missile. During the ceremony, the tires of the nine-axle, 18-wheeled vehicles turned at the same angle, demonstrating their crab-crawling abilities and maneuverability.

Spectators photograph quadruped robots crawling along the tarmac at a ceremony marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Small unmanned aerial vehicles are spotted at a ceremony marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Tuesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

A U.S. B-1B Lancer strategic bomber, flanked by two F-15K fighter jets, flew over the air base during the ceremony in a show of joint force with South Korea amid North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. South Korea's Air Force flaunted its KF-21 fighters, F-35A stealth jets and Black Eagles aerobatic team.

The ceremony also featured quadruped robots, laser based anti-aircraft weapons, unmanned aerial vehicle and autonomous underwater vehicles.

The Korean Army’s K2 Black Panther battle tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzer and other armored vehicles pass by Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul for a massive Armed Forces Day military parade on Tuesday. [NEWS1]

According to the Defense Ministry, some 5,300 troops and 340 pieces of military equipment were mobilized for the Armed Forces Day ceremony and parade, which allowed South Korea to showcase its newest military hardware.

Thousands of people gathered in the streets as the massive military parade marched through downtown Seoul, including Gwanghwamun Square. President Yoon Suk Yeol and his aides joined the troops marching down Gwanghwamun Tuesday afternoon.

Surface-to-surface Hyunmoo missiles are spotted being transported during a military parade in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul Tuesday. [YONHAP]

The Korea-made long-range surface-to-air missile (L-SAM) system passes during a military parade marking the 76th Armed Forces Day in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Korea’s Cheongung mid-range surface-to-air interceptor system is spotting during a military parade marking the 76th Armed Forces Day in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Korea’s homegrown Chunmoo multiple rocket launch systems are seen in a military parade marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day in downtown Seoul on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Unmanned combat aerial vehicles cross the Hangang Bridge to take part in a military parade in downtown Seoul Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Troops march along downtown Seoul in a military parade marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

Air Force pilots march down Sejong-daero in central Seoul in a military parade marking South Korea’s 76th Armed Forces Day on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel take part in South Korea’s Armed Forces Day military parade in Gwanghwamun in downtown Seoul on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]

More in Defense

Korea's latest weapons revealed on Armed Forces Day — in pictures

Defense companies and officials gather for international exhibition at Gyeryongdae military base

Korea to attend NATO defense ministers' meeting for first time

U.S. strategic bomber flies over Korean Peninsula on Armed Forces Day — in pictures

South Korea flexes military muscle on Armed Forces Day as Yoon warns North faces 'end of regime'

korea joongAng daily

Home > National > Defense

Korea's latest weapons revealed on Armed Forces Day — in pictures

Related Article

South Korea flexes military muscle on Armed Forces Day as Yoon warns North faces 'end of regime'