South Korea, US, and Japan enhance missile defence with live-fire aerial drills

On January 15 South Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted joint air drills, which included at least one B-1B bomber, in response to North Korea’s recent missile launches.

The exercise, which marked the first combined air drill of the year, also featured South Korean F-15K fighters and Japanese F-2 jets, Caliber.Az reports referencing Korean media.

This trilateral operation was a follow-up to similar drills held in November of the previous year.

The drills were carried out to strengthen the three nations' collective abilities to counter North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats. The recent drills came in the wake of North Korea's missile tests, including the claimed launch of a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile on January 6 and several short-range ballistic missile tests earlier this week.

North Korea claimed its January 6 missile launch was a success, announcing that the missile incorporated a new carbon fibre compound and a "comprehensive and effective" method. However, South Korea’s military dismissed the claim, calling it a "deception" and casting doubt on North Korea's true hypersonic capabilities.

The missile tests coincided with the days leading up to US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, adding to the heightened regional tensions. In response, the defence ministry of South Korea emphasized that the three countries would continue strengthening their cooperation, further expanding trilateral drills to counter North Korea’s provocations.

In addition to the trilateral air exercises, the South Korean and US Air Forces also conducted their first combined live-fire exercise of the year. Two South Korean F-15K fighters from the 11th Fighter Wing and two US A-10 attack aircraft from the 51st Fighter Wing participated in close air support training. During the exercise, approximately 20 MK-82 bombs were deployed as part of the training to reinforce their joint defence readiness.

By Tamilla Hasanova