December 05, 2023
News

US, ROK hold ‘defensive’ air drills with Australia featuring over 130 aircraft

Allies say exercises are unrelated to ‘real-world threats,’ though expert says training is to defend against North Korea

The U.S. and South Korea will hold joint air force drills with Australia this week in what one expert described as regular training to defend against North Korean threats.

The air forces of the U.S., ROK and Australia kicked off the “combined flying training event” called Vigilant Defense 24 on Monday, according to the U.S. military and the joint exercises are scheduled to run through Nov. 3.