All articles tagged with #joint military drills
South Korea and the US will conduct their annual joint military exercises, Ulchi Freedom Shield, starting August 18, with some parts rescheduled to September to reduce tensions with North Korea and accommodate weather conditions. The drills will focus on modern warfare and North Korean missile threats, amid efforts to improve inter-Korean relations.
Poland announces it will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine amid a deepening rift over agricultural exports, while the U.S. plans to send Abrams tanks and provide $24 billion in aid to Ukraine. Russian forces continue to attack Ukraine's eastern front, with a town west of Donetsk being hit overnight. Ukrainian forces allegedly launched a missile attack on Russian naval headquarters in Crimea. Belarus and Russia are set to start joint military drills, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visits Canada after facing challenges during his U.S. trip.
ASEAN countries have commenced their first-ever joint military drills in Indonesia's South Natuna Sea, focusing on developing military skills such as maritime security, patrols, and humanitarian assistance. The five-day non-combat operation involves all 10 ASEAN members, including prospective member East Timor. The drills come amidst rising geopolitical tensions and protests against China's activities in the South China Sea, with several countries rejecting China's "10-dash line" map. ASEAN has been discussing a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea for over two decades, but progress has been limited.
The United States, Japan, and Australia are set to conduct joint military drills in the disputed South China Sea this week, involving three aircraft and helicopter carriers sailing together to demonstrate their commitment to the rule of law in the region. The drills come after recent Chinese aggression in the area, including the blocking of Philippine navy-chartered civilian boats. The move is seen as a show of support for the Philippines and a message to China.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited major arms factories and called for increased weapons production, including engines for strategic cruise missiles and armed unmanned aerial vehicles. The inspections come ahead of joint military drills between South Korea and the US, which North Korea views as rehearsals for invasion. Last month, North Korea held a large military parade showcasing its nuclear-capable systems, and recently hosted a defense expo displaying advanced weaponry to the visiting Russian defense minister.
North Korea has claimed to have tested a new nuclear-capable underwater attack drone, named "Haeil," that can generate a radioactive tsunami. The drone system is intended to make sneak attacks in enemy waters and destroy naval striker groups and major operational ports by making a super-scale radioactive wave through an underwater explosion. The test was overseen by leader Kim Jong Un. Pyongyang also confirmed the North fired cruise missiles on Wednesday to practice carrying out tactical nuclear attack missions. The latest tests took place as South Korean and U.S. troops launched their largest amphibious landing drills in years, involving a U.S. amphibious assault ship, on Monday.
North Korea fired a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) into the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan on Thursday, hours before South Korea's president was due to fly to Tokyo for a summit expected to discuss ways to counter the nuclear-armed North. The missile, fired at 7:10 a.m. (2210 GMT on Wednesday) from Pyongyang, flew about 1,000 kilometres at a lofted trajectory, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Japan's defence ministry said the ICBM-type projectile appeared to have flown higher than 6,000 km for about 70 minutes.
North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles that landed off the country's east coast, prompting South Korea to call it a "grave provocation." The missiles were launched from the southwestern coastal town of Jangyon and flew approximately 385 miles across North Korea before landing in the sea. The launches don't pose an immediate threat to U.S. forces or its allies, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. North Korea has claimed the missile tests are being conducted as a show of force while U.S. and South Korean military forces conduct drills and war simulations on the Korean Peninsula.