North Korea Just Wrapped Up Its First-Ever Air Show
North Korea has historically been incredibly secretive about its military capabilities, including the extent of its air force fleet. So it really was a historic occasion when the nation opened up to host its first-ever public air show: the International Friendship Air Festival.
Held from September 21 to 28 at the Wonsan Airport on the east coast of the country, the event featured fighter jets, helicopters, hot air balloons, commercial airliners from the country's only airline, Air Koryo, and even a beer festival-another first for North Korea. Aviation Week was on the scene, and they captured photos of the event including a Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" close-air-support jet, a Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter, and U.S.-made MD500D helicopters that were illegally exported to the country in the 1980s (the photos are some of the first clear images of the helos in North Korea). There was even a Pacific Aerospace PAC P-750 XSTOL turboprop-a surprise considering sanctions prevent the export of such aircraft to North Korea.
You can see Aviation Week's photos of the North Korean air show here.
You Might Also Like
