RAF Typhoon jets to take part in military drills with the US and South Korea amid increase in tensions with Kim Jong Un
Exercise 'Invincible Shield' will see British aircraft join American F-16 fighters and South Korean F-15K and KF-16s
THE RAF is preparing to send combat aircraft to practice manoeuvres near the Korean peninsula as tensions grow with belligerent dictator Kim Kong Un.
The exercise - dubbed “Invincible Shield” - is the first time British aircraft have taken part in joint aerial drills with their American and Korean counterparts.
Four RAF Eurofighter Typhoon combat jets, Voyager tanker aircraft and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft will be sent to the troubled region.
They will be joined by F-15K and KF-16 fighters from South Korea, as well as American F-16 fighters.
And when questioned on the purpose of the drills, a South Korean Air Force spokesman reportedly told local journalists the aim was to practice a precision attack on Kim Jong-Un and his armies.
He spoke of targeting the rogue state’s “military and leadership facilities”, in an apparent reference to command and control bunkers where the dictator might hide in the event of a war.
The spokesman told Yonhap news agency: “The Invincible Shield drill is aimed at improving the allies' capabilities of attacking North Korea's major military and leadership facilities (if provoked) but also intercepting incoming fighters from the North.
“Through the exercise, the three countries will be able to bolster the interoperability of their military arsenals and joint operational capabilities in the event of conflict breaking out on the Korean Peninsula.”
The RAF has since denied the aim of the exercise was to practice for an attack “against any other nation in the region” – perhaps to avoid antagonising the easily-riled Kim Jong-Un.
A spokesperson said: "The Exercise being held between RoK, UK and US is not designed to train for any specific operations against any other nation in the region but rather is purely an exercise designed for international engagement to reinforce our relationships with partners, interoperability training and sharing of knowledge and best practice."
Tensions in the region have been on the rise recently after North Korea’s successful nuclear test earlier this month – with the country admitting it was preparing for nuclear war.
The explosion at the beginning of September was the fifth and biggest test carried out since the dictator came to power in 2011.
And the rogue state has since promised a second test by the end of the year.
The sabre-rattling has prompted South Korea and its allies to flex their muscles with military drills – as well as strengthening their defences.
Even golf legend Jack Nicklaus is set to join the fight, it was revealed today.
Terrified South Korean defence chiefs earlier announced they were installing high-tech anti-missile defence rockets on a golf course designed by the American 18-time Major winner.
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