Seoul: The Air Force's aerobatic flight team is set to perform an air show in Saudi Arabia next month following a refueling stop in Japan, officials announced Wednesday. The Black Eagles team is preparing to participate in the World Defense Show 2026, an international defense exhibition in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for February 8-12.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the aerobatic flight team will make a layover in Okinawa, Japan, after departing from a base in Wonju, approximately 140 kilometers east of Seoul, on January 28. At Japan's Naha air base, the Black Eagles will refuel and hold an exchange event with Japan's Blue Impulse aerobatic flight team.

In November, South Korea's plan to participate in an air show in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was canceled after Japan refused to allow the flight team to refuel in Okinawa. The refusal was due to the team's T-50B aircraft training near Dokdo, which Japan claims as its territory. However, this time, the Air Force reported smooth discussions with Tokyo regarding the Black Eagles' refueling in Japan.

The development follows an agreement between the leaders of South Korea and Japan to advance "future-oriented cooperation" through reciprocal leader-level visits, known as "shuttle diplomacy," after their summit talks in Japan's Nara earlier this month.

For the upcoming air show, the armed service plans to deploy nine T-50B aircraft, four C-130 transport planes, and around 120 personnel. The Black Eagles will showcase a total of 24 high-skill aerial maneuvers daily from February 9, marking their first participation in a defense exhibition in the Middle East.