Key facts
- South Korea and France conducted joint aerial drills from Tuesday to Thursday.
- The drills took place at an air base in Cheongju.
- This marks the first joint drills between the two countries in three years.
- South Korea mobilized F-35A stealth jets and KC-330 Cygnus tankers.
- France deployed two Rafale fighter jets and an A-330 aerial refueling tanker.
- The exercise is part of France's 'Pegase' mission.
SEOUL, Sept. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea and France staged a joint aerial exercise this week aimed at enhancing interoperability between their troops, the South Korean Air Force said Thursday.
The three-day drills, which kicked off Tuesday, took place at an air base in Cheongju, about 110 kilometers south of Seoul. This marks the first joint drills between South Korea and France in three years.
The South Korean Air Force mobilized its F-35A stealth jets and KC-330 Cygnus multirole aerial tankers, while the French Air Force deployed two Rafale fighter jets and an A-330 aerial refueling tanker. The French team was part of France's "Pegase" mission, a nine-country initiative from Sept. 8 to Oct. 15 designed to inspect interoperability and deterrence capabilities with allied forces.
During the exercise, the air forces conducted mutual aerial refueling to enhance understanding of their respective systems. They also staged joint tactical flights, dividing into allied and enemy forces, and shared insights on strategic flight tactics and aircraft operational methods. Additionally, the forces performed aerial displays at a memorial cemetery in Busan to commemorate U.N. troops from the Korean War.
Maj. Gen. Vincent Chusseau, commander of the French Space Command, described the visit as a "stepping stone" to enhance operational interoperability and noted the strong relationship between the two nations, which marks its 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.