Massive Air Drills by South Korea and U.S. to Bolster Defense Readiness

This week, over 200 South Korean and U.S. fighter jets will participate in the largest number of sorties in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, aimed at boosting joint defense readiness against North Korea. The drills involve air combat scenarios and missile defense. North Korea criticizes these exercises as nuclear war rehearsals.

This week, more than 200 South Korean and U.S. fighter jets will fly around the clock for five days in the largest number of sorties in the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, according to South Korea's air force.

The drills, designed to enhance joint defense readiness against North Korean threats, include patrol flights diverted to air combat scenarios and simulated mock enemy aircraft interdiction and cruise missile defense.

North Korea, which routinely condemns these drills as nuclear war rehearsals, continues to modernize its air fleet despite challenges, while ramping up tactical warfare capabilities with short-range missiles and heavy artillery.

(With inputs from agencies.)