North Korea is known for its isolation from the rest of the word as a result of decades of Cold War geopolitics. Its military has been off-limits to foreign eyes due to high political tension. In a nearly historic step, the North Korean officials of the brand-new Kalma airport at Wonsan, invite for the first Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival. At the 24 and 25 September 2016 this first military air show taken place. Around 10,000-15,000 local spectators watched the show, as did a number of international journalists and around 200 international aviation enthusiasts. At the first edition the Korean People's Army Air Force displayed a number of its aircraft, including Su-25, MiG-21 and MiG-29 combat aircraft. In addition Tu-134, Tu-154, An-24, Il-62 and Il-76 aircraft of Air Koryo, the North Korean national airline, also participated.

Victorious War Museum

Air Koryo

The aerial gateway to Wonsan the brand-new Kalma airport, constructed to an impressive international standard. While international flights have not yet begun, the facility was inaugurated in historic fashion on the weekend of 24 - 25 September  with North Korea’s first airshow. North Korean national airline, Air Koryo wit its fleet of Soviet-era planes (Tupolev Tu-134 and -154, Ilyushin Il-18, -62 and -76, and Antonov An-24) also participated in the Wonsan International Friendship Air Festival.

PAC P-750 XSTOL (Picture courtesy Guido Buehlmann) *

PAC P-750 XSTOL (Picture courtesy Guido Buehlmann) *

The Air Show

However the Korean People’s Army Air Force line-up, while representing considerable firepower, does not include anything the world hasn’t seen close up elsewhere, and at the end of 2015 the decision was made by the North Korean authorities to allow the air force to participate in the Wonsan air show alongside the Air Koryo fleet. 

The programme tended to alternate between civil and military. There was also a formation of 4 Hughes 500E helicopters, since 2013, during the traditional flying parade over Pyongyang, the North Korean "Little Birds" have long been surrounded by mystery.

In addition to aeronautical pursuits, traditional Korean food, snacks and drink will be available throughout the event. Interesting was also the DPRK’s second National Beer Showcase also take place, offering examples of Korean beers from across the country, and visitors will be welcome to sample their wares.

Sukhoi Su-25 #49 (Picture courtesy Guido Buehlmann)

Sukhoi Su-25 #45 (Picture courtesy Guido Buehlmann)

Sukhoi Su-25 #57 (Picture courtesy Guido Buehlmann)

* Note:
The P-750 XSTOL in the markings of the North Korean state airline was photographed during the Wonsan Air Festival on September 24–25, 2016. The aircraft had been sold to China in September 2017 and then illegally exported to North Korea. Pacific Aerospace expressed surprise, however New Zealand Customs discovered that even after the company was aware the aircraft was in North Korea some of the company staff had planned to sell replacement parts for the aircraft to a Chinese company. In October 2017 Pacific Aerospace plead guilty to three charges of planning to export aircraft parts indirectly to North Korea, and another charge relating to incorrect completion of export documentation.

last update  13. May 2018

Written 1. January 2018

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