US and South Korean air forces begin Exercise Max Thunder

The air forces of the US and Republic of Korea (ROK) are conducting the bilateral training exercise, code-named Max Thunder, at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.

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South Korea’s defense budget is currently valued at $48.3 billion after experiencing impressive and robust annual growth of 10.5% in 2022. Over the forecast period, South Korean defense expenditure is anticipated to register a strong CAGR of 6.3% over 2023-27 and reach $66.2 billion by 2027. The country’s acquisition budget, which includes research and development (R&D) funding, is also anticipated to register significant growth, projected to reach $21.6 billion in 2027, seeing significant rise from the anticipated $17 billion in 2023. South Korean defense spending is continuing to be fueled by the country’s hostile relationship with North Korea, coupled with the need to develop its own domestic industry. If you want to strategize successfully off this growing market, it is important to be fully informed. This report’s key findings include:

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Close to 1,000 US personnel and nearly 500 personnel from South Korea will take part in the exercise.

The flying exercise will also feature a wide range of US aircraft, including F-16s from Seventh Air Force, AV-8Bs from the 12th Marine Aircraft Group, EA-18Gs from the Electronic Attack Squadron 132, and numerous Korean aircraft such as F-15K, F-16, F-5E, F-4E, KA-1, C-130, HH-60, and CN 235.

"Exercise Max Thunder serves as an invaluable opportunity for US and ROKAF forces to train together shoulder-to-shoulder and sharpen tactical skills vital to the defence and security of the Korean Peninsula."

Seventh Air Force commander lieutenant general Thomas W Bergeson said: "Exercise Max Thunder serves as an invaluable opportunity for US and ROKAF forces to train together shoulder-to-shoulder and sharpen tactical skills vital to the defence and security of the Korean Peninsula.

"This exercise will rigorously test our aerial combat capability and highlights the ironclad commitment between the US and the ROK and the multifaceted capabilities we possess in this theatre.”

Said to be the second largest flying exercise held on the Korean Peninsula, Max Thunder forms part of a continuous exercise programme that is designed to improve interoperability between the US and ROK forces.

The annual exercise highlights the long-standing military partnership and commitment between the two nations to help ensure peace and security in North East Asia. It follows increased tensions in the region, with North Korea recently parading its military for television cameras and the country's unsuccessful launch of a nuclear missile.

Image: Exercise Max Thunder is part of a continuous exercise programme to enhance interoperability between US and ROK forces. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson/Released.