[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] Korea-US-Japan Forces in One Place

Missile Defense Drill in the East Sea International Waters After 4 Months

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] South Korea, the United States, and Japan conducted a missile defense exercise in the East Sea international waters far from Dokdo about four months after North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and other missile provocations.

Participating in this exercise were South Korea's Aegis destroyer Sejong the Great (DDG, 7,600-ton class), the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class Aegis destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52, 6,900-ton class), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Atago-class Aegis destroyer JS Atago (DDG 177, 7,700-ton class).

The exercise began around 9 a.m. and lasted about five hours. The location was similar to the joint missile defense exercise conducted by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan last October, which took place approximately 185 km from Dokdo and about 120 km from the Japanese mainland.

In the simulation, South Korea and Japan detected and tracked a virtual ballistic missile target, then transmitted the information to the U.S. side via tactical data links. The U.S. then shared this information with the other countries, following procedures for virtual interception.

The Atago-class destroyer participating in this exercise is a newer model compared to the Kong?-class that participated in the joint exercise last October. It features superior radar performance compared to the Kong?-class and has undergone system upgrades to possess integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities. The lead ship of the Atago-class, JS Atago, was commissioned in March 2007 as part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's 3rd Escort Flotilla.

This exercise and the commanders' meeting were held in response to North Korea's ballistic missile provocations, including the launch of one Hwasong-15 ICBM on the 18th and two 600mm-class super-large multiple rocket launcher short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) on the 20th. Among ICBMs and SRBMs, the joint response by South Korea, the U.S., and Japan focuses on the longer-range ICBMs, so it is believed that this exercise also emphasized countering ICBMs.