K2 Tank, K9, Surion... Army TIGER Dronebot Festival Runs Through November 1

The '2026 Army TIGER Dronebot Festival,' co-hosted by the Ground Operations Command (GOC), Gyeonggi Province, and Yangju City, and organized by a civil-military-government event promotion committee, will run through November 1 at Gatnap Airfield in Yangju City.

The 'Army TIGER Dronebot Festival' has been held since 2021 by the Ground Operations Command, Gyeonggi Province, and Yangju City to promote cooperation among the private, public, and military sectors in showcasing the Army's dronebot combat system, manned-unmanned hybrid systems, and advanced combat weapons and equipment.

The opening ceremony on October 30 was attended by Commander Lee Sang-ryeol of the Ground Operations Command (General), who serves as co-host agency head, Cho Jang-seok, Planning Director for Balanced Development of Gyeonggi Province, Yangju Mayor Jeong Deok-young, local residents, and military personnel.

During his opening remarks, Commander Lee Sang-ryeol of the GOC stated, "The Dronebot Festival will showcase the future of ground warfare toward an advanced, strong military, and will serve as a venue where the public can feel the progress of the private-public-military sectors and national support," and added, "I hope this becomes a precious opportunity to elevate 'trust with the people,' 'development for the local community,' and 'pride for our service members' to the next level."

Yangju Mayor Jeong Deok-young said, "The way security and advanced technology work in close cooperation with the local community to expand the possibilities of future new businesses is the strongest growth engine that Yangju City possesses," and continued, "I hope you will fully enjoy the future vision that the private, public, and military sectors are creating together and the spectacular technology of advanced dronebots."

The subsequent events featured various congratulatory performances including Army aviation celebratory flights, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency military police motorcycle parade, Army TIGER combat system demonstration, and Taekwondo demonstrations.

The site will display K2 tanks, K9 self-propelled howitzers, and Chiungmu armored vehicles alongside Surion helicopters, Biho compound systems, and obstacle-clearing tanks—currently operated as main battle equipment by the Korean military—as well as U.S. military combat equipment including IFPC (Indirect Fire Protection Capability) air defense weapons, MLRS multiple rocket launchers, and counter-battery radar.

The public will have opportunities to directly board Surion helicopters, armored vehicles (K21, K200A1), and military police motorcycles. Surion helicopter rides will be offered to 228 people who registered through advance publicity.

The festival, running through November 1, will feature diverse events including demonstrations and hands-on experiences with the Army dronebot combat system and Korean military combat equipment, drone battle competitions, performances by Korean and U.S. military bands and honor guards, and celebrity performances.

Colonel Lim Seok-hun, Information Planning Officer of the GOC, stated, "This dronebot festival will serve as an opportunity to directly confirm not just spectacle, but the future of the Army and the civil-public-military coexistence model."