S Korea, US hold air defence drills

South Korea and the US began on Friday massive eight-day air defence drills aimed at bolstering their operational capabilities, authorities in Seoul said.

South Korea and the US began on Friday massive eight-day air defence drills aimed at bolstering their operational capabilities, authorities in Seoul said.

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About 50 fighter jets, including F-15Ks from South Korea and F-16s from the US, are taking part in the exercise, dubbed "Max Thunder", in the western part of the South Korean airspace, Xinhua reported.

Led by the South Korean Air Force, the exercise includes a hypothetical air battle and defeating a possible provocation by North Korea.

The two allies have engaged in several joint military manoeuvres since the fatal March sinking of a South Korean warship, blamed on North Korea.