Army of United States and South Korea launch joint military exercises.

South Korea and the United States on Monday launched a joint exercise aimed at enhancing defense readiness against potential security threats here, military officials said. The computer-assisted simulation exercise, dubbed Ulchi Freedom Guardian (UFG), will mobilize some 56,000 South Korean troops and 30,000 U.S. forces.

It is based on realistic scenarios and enables us to train on our essential tasks with a 'whole of government' approach," he added.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s army has been informed of the launch of the annual drill and its non- provocative nature, according to officials.

In Asia, A Wave Of Escalating Territorial Disputes

The disputed islands and islets in Asia are, on the whole, an unimpressive bunch. Most are rocky, windswept outcroppings far from any mainland. One has a lighthouse but no people.
But these tiny territories, sweeping from southeast to northeast Asia, are fiercely contested among countries that are buoyed by nationalism and by a growing thirst for the natural resources off their shores. At a time when the United States has promised to play a greater role in Asia, some security experts say the territories represent the region’s greatest potential flash point aside from North Korea.

The territorial disputes involve nearly a dozen countries in at least three major seas, and they have set off a chaotic crisscross of conflict in some of the world’s most trafficked shipping lanes. The disputes are not all connected, but analysts say that several of Asia’s key countries — China, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines — have in recent months followed a similar pattern, turning old historical squabbles into national priorities, escalating tensions and raising the chances of a small-scale armed conflict.
The countries are driven to claim these far-flung offshore territories in part because of their gro

This Could Get Messy

South Korea is pressuring the U.S. to drop range missile restrictions imposed on South Korea decades ago. If the United States does not agree, South Korea is apparently ready to just go ahead with building longer range missiles, to better deter China as well as North Korea. For the last 30 years, the United States has been discouraging South Korea from developing long-range ballistic and cruise missiles. This was done to try and halt an arms race with North Korea, but the north never took the hint. Meanwhile, the U.S. assured the south that America would show up for the fight if the north attacked.  Despite American opposition, South Korea began developing, but not mass-producing, ballistic missiles in the 1970s. South Korea certainly has the technical expertise and manufacturing capability to produce a more modern ballistic missile with a range of 300 kilometers. South Korea has signed an international treaty agreeing to not build ballistic missiles with a range greater than 300 kilometers, but public opinion in the south is calling for that limit to be broken, in order to make all of North Korea vulnerable to ballistic missile attack from the south. This also sends a message to China that South Korea is not to be messed with.
Another major change being pushed in the south is a closer military and intelligence alliance with Japan. This has proved difficult because of continued anti-Japanese feelings (for the harsh treatment Koreans received when Japan ruled Korea as a colony from 1910 to 1945) felt by most Koreans. Despite that, senior South Korea military officials believe such cooperation is essential.

The second life of MRAP

Cargo aircraft of the U.S. Air Force began the transfer of MRAP from Afghanistan to South Korea, at a rate of two trucks by rotating Galaxy cargo plane or C-17. Americans have about 20,000 of these vehicles designed in the emergency response to the IED threat. All will not survive the end of U.S. engagement in Iraq and Afghanistan. Current projections of the Pentagon, 30% of the vehicles remain in service in the combat

Aegis Combat System Successfully Completes Trials on 2nd RoK Destroyer

The Republic of Korea ship Yulgok Yi I (DDG-992), supported by the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), successfully completed a series of trials for the ship's Aegis Combat System.

The at-sea Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) took place at the Pacific Missile Range Facility off the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The trials are the final tests of system design, hardware and software integration, ship construction and crew training.

"These trials validate Yulgok Yi I's Aegis Combat System, ship and crew and their ability to execute Combat System missions," said Doug Wilhelm, director of international programs at Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems & Sensors business unit. "This ship will be a significant addition to the air defense, anti-submarine, anti-surface and self-defense capabilities of the Republic of Korea Navy. We look forward to building on our longstanding partnership with the Republic of Korea Navy through our work on this program."

Aura’s VIPER Mobile Power Solution Selected for a South Korean Military Program

               Up to 7,000 Systems Valued at $63 Million Over a Seven-Year Period
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. | Aura Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: AUSI) announced Jun. 25 that its AuraGen/VIPER was selected for a South Korean military program that would require up to 7,000 systems valued at $63,000,000 to be delivered over a seven-year period. The program provides for near-term delivery of 50 systems, thereafter followed by annual releases and deliveries of 1,000 systems for each of the next 7 years. The AuraGen/VIPER mobile power solution required for this program is a 10 kW solution and will require some redesign of our standard configuration. The Non Recurring Engineering (“NRE”) efforts for this program are estimated at approximately $300,000 and would require 4-5 months to complete. The customer will pay the NRE separately. Like all major government programs this program is subject to cancellation or renegotiation at the convenience of the South Korean government.

With this new program and the additional programs previously announced, the total VIPER systems for South Korea could exceed 9,100 systems to be delivered over the next 7 years. In addition, there are approximately 5,000 additional units under consideration for several additional South Korean military programs. While a favorable decision to use Aura’s VIPER on the additional programs is expected over the next 6 months no assurances can be given as to when or if such other contracts will materialize. To date Aura delivered approximately 500 systems to the South Korean military.

Mr. Melvin Gagerman, Aura’s CEO, said, “The VIPER mobile power solution is now integrated into numerous South Korean military programs and we anticipate additional programs to adopt our VIPER mobile power solution. It is now clear that our VIPER solution is finally getting full acceptance as equipment in the South Korean military. In addition to the significant progress with the South Korean military we are now also seeing accelerated military activities from Israel.”

S.Korea, US conduct largest joint live-fire drill

Pocheon, South Korea - South Korean and US troops Friday held their biggest single-day joint live-fire exercise to test responses to any North Korean attack, amid high tensions on the peninsula.
 
The drill at Pocheon near the North Korean border involved some 2,000 troops along with jet fighters, tanks, Apache attack helicopters, A-10 "tank-killer" aircraft, missiles and multiple rocket launchers, the defence ministry said.
 
The two allies are also due Saturday to launch a major three-day naval exercise in the tense Yellow Sea, ahead of the 62nd anniversary Monday of the outbreak of the Korean War.
 
On Thursday the US, South Korea and Japan began a separate two-day drill off the southern South Korean island of Jeju, involving destroyers, supply ships and helicopters. North Korea denounced it as a "reckless provocation".
 
Tensions are high after the North's failed rocket launch in April, seen by the US and its allies as an attempted ballistic missile test.
 
Pyongyang has also threatened attacks on the South's government and conservative media for perceived insults to its regime.
 
The first stage of the drill at Pocheon, 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the border, aimed to practise a response to a shooting and shelling attacks on South Korean border outposts.
 
The second stage assumed an all-out attack by North Korean forces.
 
Apache helicopters and A-10 aircraft were to strafe assumed enemy positions and two South Korean multiple rocket launchers would join in the attack.
 
The exercise was to end with a cargo plane dropping ammunition and food to friendly forces and 60 commandos parachuting onto enemy positions.
 
The Yellow Sea naval exercise will involve 10 South Korean warships plus the USS George Washington aircraft carrier and striker group, 8,000 personnel and hundreds of combat aircraft, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said.
 
The joint naval drill is conducted every year, alternatively in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) and the Yellow Sea.
 
"Throughout the joint military exercises, South Korean and US forces will test their ability for joint operations and enhance combat-readiness," Navy Brigadier General Park Seong-Bae said in a statement.
 
"We will immediately retaliate against any attacks from North Korea and finish the enemy off on the spot," he said.

Philippine Air Force to Acquire 12 Jet Fighters from Korea

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said they will be acquiring fighter jets in the next two years.

Twelve surface attack aircraft lead-in fighters or TA-50s from South Korea are expected to be delivered by 2013.

Each jet costs P1.25 billion for a total of P25 billion for the dozen jets.

The TA-50 is a supersonic aircraft that requires more experienced pilots.

Authorities said bulk of the P70 billion allocated for the modernization of the Armed Forces under the Aquino administration will go to the Air Force.

“Dati hindi natin pinapansin ang territorial defense dahil wala nga tayong capability gaya ngayon. ‘Yung  bangka ‘yung atin, ‘yung kalaban natin napakalaking platform. Ngayon, tumaas ang rating ng problema natin sa territorial defense. Hindi pala natin pwedeng isantabi,” said Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin.

The Air Force currently has two trainer jets, which are now nearly 25 years old.

The S-211s were originally meant for training purposes but the military was forced to use them in actual operations.

The PAF admits that this is the current image of the air power of the Philippines, which has been left behind by its neighbors.

The country's lone fighter jet, an F-5, was sidelined in 2005 and has yet to be replaced.

“At that time, the leadership decided that we didn’t need this because there's no threat in that area kaya nag-concentrate tayo sa mga ginagamit nating aircraft para sa internal security operations,” said Col. Miguel Ernesto Okol, spokesman of the PAF.

But the current tensions at the Scarborough Shoal have placed a spotlight on the country's air inferiority.

Last week, a suspected Chinese fighter jet flew over the disputed shoal.

Gazmin says President Aquino is serious in beefing up the military so as not to be ignored by foreign powers

U.S. Air Force, Republic of Korea Allies Partner for Potential CBRN Attacks

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea | With the ever-present threat of North Korea so close, Pacific Air Forces and South Korean Airmen constantly train to respond to any potential attacks.

A combined workshop June 7 and 8 gave the allies a chance to strengthen their partnership through demonstrations of the equipment each side uses during chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) attacks.

"If something ever does go wrong, we can respond together and actually make it a joint environment versus saying 'this is what I'm doing and that's what you're doing,'" said Staff Sgt. Kendra Ketonen, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman. "We get the benefits of knowing what they have and what they can bring to the fight."

In addition to the Republic of Korea Air Force 38th Fighter Group and 8th CES from Kunsan, there were also attendees from several other PACAF base, including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

If North Korea were to make a move, Airmen from these bases would be called in to help defend resources here.

"If we need to work together, we'll understand and better know how to make connections," said Senior Master Sgt. Jerome Dubose, 7th Air Force CBRN manager for Korea from Osan Air Base. "In many cases, our Korean partners have the lead so if there's a war, it behooves us to coordinate with them."

Like much of their joint training and exercises, a translator was on hand to make sure explanations and discussions were as helpful and thorough as possible.

During the workshop, the Americans and Koreans each provided familiarization of the equipment and procedures they use when responding to an attack.

The Americans gave a detailed walk-through of their contamination control area. The Koreans showed off their decontamination aerial sprayer, which works like a car wash and allows people and vehicles to be 'deconned' more quickly.

"We can help each other out to defend this base," said 1st Lt. Jinki Kim from the 38th FG. He added that much of the equipment and training used for decontaminating is the same.

Throughout the training, one point from both sides was emphasized: working together helps the partnership grow and ensures we are prepared to respond to any situation.

South Korea Female Special Forces 

 

China, Japan, South Korea Warn North Korea over Nuclear Tests

China, Japan and South Korea have warned they will not accept new nuclear tests by North Korea, South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak said on Sunday.
"Our three countries have agreed that we will not accept further nuclear tests or further provocations from North Korea," Lee said after a tripartite meeting in Beijing.
Lee met on Sunday with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda for a one-day summit, with the North Korea's nuclear and rocket programs topping the summit agenda.
Wen said the three countries had the pressing task of calming tensions on the Korean peninsula and returning to dialogue.
The summit came a month after North Korea unsuccessfully launched a long-range rocket. The rocket fell soon after the takeoff but the liftoff drew international condemnation as it broke a U.N. ban adopted over concerns that North Korea could use these launches to develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
Some media reports have said North Korea is preparing for a third underground nuclear test. Satellite images have showed the reclusive communist regime is digging a new tunnel underground in the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the country's northeast, where it conducted two previous nuclear tests, first in 2006 and then in 2009.

Secret weapons of South Korea - South Korean special forces

South Korea special forces training

South Korea Unveils First Surveillance Aircraft

As a hope of making another great leap in improving South Korea’s military might, South Korea’s first surveillance airplane, known as Airborne Early Warning and Control plane, arrived at an Air Force base on Aug. 1.
 
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in Seoul said that a Boeing E-737 early-warning and control aircraft landed at the Air Force base in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, after completing tests by South Korean Air Force at Boeing’s factory in Seattle.
 
“It will go through test flights and acceptance tests before it’s handed over to our Air Force in early September,” the DAPA said.
 
In an effort to establish autonomous early-warning and control system, South Korean military had decided to adopt E-737 in November 2006. Since then Seoul has been doing its effort to bring four such planes by end of 2012. Currently, Korea Aerospace Industries, the nation’s leading aircraft maker, is developing advanced multi-purpose electronic satellite radar system that will be installed in the second, third and fourth planes. They are planned to be handed over to South Korean Air Force in 2012.
 
“If necessary, early-warning and control airplane is capable of monitoring the whole land of North Korea,” said a defense official at the Defense Ministry in Seoul. “Not only the plane can monitor target areas real-time, but also it can improve airborne operations significantly by assisting air-defense system on ground. The surveillance plane will also be capable of checking airborne or seaborne targets on the entire Korean Peninsula, and will be able to catch aircraft flying at low altitude infiltrating mountainous areas.”
 
A 120-seater E-737 surveillance aircraft was made by remodeling Boeing 737 passenger plane, such as installing Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) Surveillance Radar on top of plane body and radar manipulating consol system inside the aircraft. DAPA said such systems are capable of detect, distinguish, monitor and analyze targets in the air and on sea spontaneously. When new E-737 plane is in full operation, it will observe whole operational area and provide core information of enemies to South Korea’s fighters and warships.
 
Apart from a old early warning and control plane, the new E-737 aircraft uses electronically scanned array radar which is capable of not only covering omni-directional area but also focusing on a specific target exploration. Experts anticipate that the use of the new plane could upgrade South Korea’s military power significantly. They also hope that the plane could contribute in improving independent intelligence gathering and monitor capabilities after the transition of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea.
 
The new E-737 has a flying range of around 7,000 kilometers (4,349 miles) and it can fly on patrol for about eight to nine hours. MESA radar can detect and monitor some 1,000 target planes at the most. It also has a capability of interlocking with strategic data link system of Air Force air-defense units.
 
The aircraft has been dubbed “Peace Eye” after a naming contest in 2008. It has a meaning of demonstrating peace missions in and out of the Korean Peninsula where it remains the only divided land in the world.