[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] What About the Marado Ship That Demonstrated the Amphibious Operation?

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The 73rd Armed Forces Day commemorative event was held on the morning of the 1st near Yeongil Bay, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, close to the Marine Corps 1st Division. This was the first time the Armed Forces Day event was hosted by the Marine Corps, under the theme "The People's Army, the Great Korean Navy."

The Navy's second large transport ship, the Marado-class LPH (Landing Platform Helicopter, 14,500-ton class), performed its first mission during the Armed Forces Day event. President Moon Jae-in boarded the Marine Corps' first amphibious assault helicopter, "Marine One" (call sign), and disembarked from the Marado ship about 2.5 km offshore from Dogu Coast, Yeongil Bay, marking the start of the event. This was the first time a president rode a Marine Corps helicopter.

The Marado ship, performing its first mission, is a large transport ship commissioned 14 years after the Dokdo ship (the first ship). It is equipped with the domestically produced anti-ship guided missile "Haegung." It also features a domestically developed 3D rotating search radar, which improves detection range and target update rate compared to the Dokdo ship. The Marado ship is 199.4 meters long, 31.4 meters high, with a maximum speed of 42 km/h. It carries a crew of 330.

The Marado ship serves multiple roles including operational command during disasters and emergencies, evacuation of overseas nationals in crises, international peacekeeping activities, and functions as a command and control ship for mobile units. The ship's name, Marado, was chosen to symbolize the Navy's commitment to protecting the southern sea area of the Korean Peninsula and maritime traffic routes, named after the southernmost island "Marado."

Since the Moon Jae-in administration, the Armed Forces Day event has been held four times. In 2017 (69th anniversary), it was held at Pyeongtaek 2nd Fleet; in 2018 (70th anniversary), at the War Memorial of Korea; in 2019 (71st anniversary), at Daegu Air Base; and last year (72nd anniversary), at the Army Special Warfare Command. Locations representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force were selected to conduct events tailored to each branch's characteristics.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.