Live-fire Training of SM-2 in the Pacific Ocean

Aegis Destroyer Yulgok Yi Yi Launches for RIMPAC Exercise

The Navy Aegis destroyer ROKS Yulgok Yi I (DDG·7600t), participating in the '2024 Rim of the Pacific Exercise' held in Hawaii, USA, conducted a live-fire exercise with the SM-2 fleet air defense missile on the morning of the 9th (local time).

According to the Navy on the 10th, this SM-2 live-fire exercise was conducted under the assumption that enemy aircraft and guided missiles were approaching the ship. When an unmanned target drone approached at high speed, the Yulgok Yi I detected and tracked it with the Aegis radar (SPY-1D), then fired one SM-2 fleet air defense missile to accurately strike the target.

Commander Kim Bong-jin (Navy Colonel) of the Yulgok Yi I said, "Through this exercise, we verified our Navy's actual combat capability against air and guided missile threats and enhanced our missile operation skills. We will firmly maintain combat readiness to respond immediately, strongly, and decisively if the enemy provokes."

RIMPAC, the world's largest multinational maritime exercise led by the United States, began on the 26th of last month and will continue until the 2nd of next month. In its 29th iteration this year, RIMPAC includes 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, about 150 aircraft, and approximately 25,000 personnel from 29 countries including South Korea, the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia. This year, two NATO member countries (Italy and Belgium) have joined compared to two years ago. Analysts interpret this as a countermeasure against the alliance of North Korea, China, and Russia. RIMPAC is scheduled from the 26th of last month to the 2nd of next month, and since it is led by the U.S. military, the Indo-Pacific Command is in charge of the exercise headquarters.

From South Korea, about 840 personnel from the Navy and Marine Corps participated, along with naval and air assets including the Yulgok Yi I, Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH-II·4400t), Cheonjabong (LST-II·4900t), submarine Lee Beom-seok (SS-II·1800t), one maritime patrol aircraft (P-3), and one maritime operational helicopter (LYNX). Among the countries dispatching submarine forces to this year's RIMPAC, South Korea is the only one besides the United States.