[ad_1]
SEOUL: More than 200 South Korean and US fighter jets will conduct five days of round-the-clock flights this week, South Korea’s air force said on Tuesday (Aug 20), in what will be the largest number of sorties ever flown in allied training.
This exercise is an annual Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercise The move is reportedly aimed at strengthening the joint combat readiness of the South Korean and US militaries against the North Korean threat.
It is reported that aircraft performing defensive patrol missions will be transferred to air combat scenarios to conduct exercises such as simulated enemy aircraft interception and cruise missile defense.
The U.S. Air Force said aircraft from two U.S. fighter wings based in South Korea, where the United States has 28,500 troops stationed for joint defense against nuclear-armed North Korea, would take part in the exercises.
North Korea has often condemned the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, which began on Monday and will last until August 29, as raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, saying it Nuclear war drill.
Although North Korea is working to modernize its air force, it still faces challenges in acquiring new aircraft and relies heavily on aging and outdated fighter jets, even some vintage Soviet MiG fighters introduced in the 1950s.
Pyongyang Enhance tactical combat capabilities After making significant advances in its long-range ballistic missile and nuclear programs, North Korea has moved back to using short-range missiles and heavy artillery to strike the South.
[ad_2]
Source link
