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S Korea and US launch joint large-scale combined air drills

17 April 2023 10:02 (UTC +04:00)

The South Korean and United States air forces have started their joint annual military exercise to enhance their joint capability and interoperability against North Korea's military provocations, APA reports citing BNN.

The Korea Flying Training (KFT) is one of the two largest military drills held by South Korea and the US every year. It will continue for 12 days, beginning on April 18, 2023, and ending on April 29, 2023.

Over 110 aircraft and 1,400 troops will be participating in the KFT, which will be held at Gwangju Air Base in Gwangju, located 267 kilometers south of Seoul. South Korea will deploy more than 60 warplanes, including F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16 fighters, while the United States will bring around 40 aircraft, such as F-16 fighters, A-10 attack aircraft, and the Marine Corps' F-35B and FA-18 jets.

The drill aims to improve the allies' combined operational capability and interoperability of their advanced fighters by conducting various exercises, including a strike package flight and close air support operations. Through this drill, the two countries will strengthen their ability to cope with the North's missile and nuclear threats.

The military exercise comes at a time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea's recent missile test and patrol boat crossing the western de facto maritime border. The allies hope that their military exercise will send a strong message to North Korea to deter its military provocations.

South Korea and the United States have launched their joint annual military exercise to enhance their joint capability and interoperability against North Korea's military provocations. With the participation of over 110 aircraft and 1,400 troops, the drill aims to improve the combined operational capability of their advanced fighters and cope with the North's missile and nuclear threats. The allies hope that their military exercise will send a strong message to North Korea to deter its military provocations.