130 US, South Korean, Australian aircraft conduct drills near North Korea

According to Eurasian Times magazine, on October 31, the US, South Korean and Australian militaries opened the annual air defense exercise "Vigilant Defense" at Osan Air Base (South Korea), not far from the North Korea-South Korea border.

The exercise involved more than 130 fighter jets and 25 different types of aircraft.

Some typical vehicles mobilized to the exercise include F-35, F-16, A-10 fighters, KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft (US), E-7 airborne early warning and command system, KC-330 military transport aircraft (South Korea), KC-30A multi-purpose transport aircraft (Australia)...

The highlight of this year's exercise is to focus entirely on defensive and joint combat exercises such as close air support, emergency air interception, air defense, etc.

The US Pacific Air Forces statement stressed that the exercises were "purely defensive in nature, pre-planned and unrelated to any actual threat or situation, and were not intended to intimidate or provoke any nation."

These moves are seen as an attempt to appease North Korea. In October 2022, Pyongyang reacted strongly to the Vigilant Storm exercise, claiming that it was a preparation for an attack on the country.

During and after the drills, North Korea test-fired a series of short-range ballistic missiles, even attempting to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile but without success.

Months later, Russia and China conducted joint military exercises in the Pacific region and were reportedly preparing for a trilateral exercise with North Korea.

Therefore, the activities of this "Ventilated Defense" exercise are designed to ensure that they do not lead to an escalation by Pyongyang.

The "Vibrant Defense" exercise is scheduled to end on November 3. So far, North Korea has not had any adverse reactions to this exercise.