Air Force holds drills against large-scale aerial attack

▲ This file photo, provided by the Air Force on Aug. 13, 2024, shows South Korean fighter jets flying in formation. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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Air Force holds drills against large-scale aerial attack

SEOUL, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- The Air Force on Friday staged drills to prepare against a large-scale aerial attack amid efforts to bolster readiness against evolving North Korean military threats.

The drills, involving some 70 warplanes, including F-35A stealth fighters, and various air defense systems, got under way earlier in the day under a scenario of some 800 simulated North Korean aerial targets flying into the South, according to the Air Force.

Fighter jets will train on intercepting enemy aircraft, while air defense systems, including the homegrown Cheongung-II medium-range surface-to-air missile system, will focus on shooting down enemy ballistic and cruise missiles. The drills will not involve actual live rounds due to safety concerns.

The exercise will also focus on training pilots to intercept cruise missiles and destroy enemy ballistic missile launch sites, the Air Force said.

The exercise takes place as North Korea has pressed ahead with advancing its missile programs, highlighted by its missile launches on 16 occasions this year.

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