Strengthen North Korea's Threat Deterrence Capabilities, South Korea And United States Hold Large-Scale Joint Air Exercises

JAKARTA - South Korea and the United States began large-scale joint air drills on Monday, the South Korean Air Force said, amid joint efforts to sharpen deterrence against Pyongyang's military threats.

About 110 aircraft and more than 1,400 troops were deployed for this year's Korea Flying Training (KFT), which started the previous day for a 12-day run at Gwangju Air Base, Gwangju, 267 kilometers south of Seoul, according to a report by the armed forces, launched the Korea Times April 17.

More than 60 South Korean warplanes, including F-35A, F-15K, and KF-16 fighters, will join the exercise.

Meanwhile, the United States will deploy around 40 aircraft, such as Air Force F-16 fighters, A-10 attack aircraft, to F-35B and Marine Corps FA-18 jets.

The exercise will focus on enhancing interoperability and joint operational capabilities of allied advanced fighter aircraft by conducting various exercises, such as strike package flights and close air support operations, according to the South Korean Air Force.

KFT is one of two regular large-scale exercises that the allies hold annually. KFT was held in the first half of this year, while another - named Vigilant Storm - was held in the second half of last year.

The drills come as tensions run high on the Korean Peninsula, following Pyongyang's test of what it claims was a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday and a North Korean patrol boat crossing of its de facto western maritime border on Saturday.