INJE, South Korea: According to a statement from the South Korean military, this week witnessed collaborative combat exercises between South Korean and US troops on Saturday, featuring advanced technologies such as drones, an unmanned vehicle, and wearable laser sensors.
These drills were conducted as part of their ongoing efforts to modernize their respective armed forces. The training coincided with South Korea’s series of annual Hoguk autumn exercises, which are primarily focused on enhancing preparedness for North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. Over 120 soldiers from both nations came together to face off against a highly trained opposing force in a simulated urban environment that closely resembled North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang. This mock town was constructed at the Korea Combat Training Centre, situated in the mountainous terrain of Inje, an eastern city.
The exercises prominently showcased cutting-edge weaponry and technology designed to bolster the capabilities of future combat operations. Soldiers were equipped with Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES), which utilize lasers to replicate real battle scenarios. Additionally, several drones were deployed for reconnaissance purposes, with some even capable of firing assault rifles. South Korea also deployed a versatile unmanned vehicle for transporting wounded personnel.
Captain Choi Jeong-Il, serving in the South Korean army’s 25th Infantry Division, also known as the “TIGER brigade,” mentioned that these unmanned assets and MILES technology played a vital role in identifying enemy positions and assessing casualties among the allied troops. He stated that we were able to track the enemy’s movements using the drones and engage them with cutting-edge weaponry, allowing us to maximize the success of our operations while minimizing harm to our own forces.
First Lieutenant Derek Chen from the U.S. 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team expressed that these exercises provided an enlightening experience, emphasizing the potential benefits of these assets in future combat scenarios.
It’s noteworthy that South Korea’s army introduced the TIGER brigade as a pilot unit in the previous year, focusing on future warfare operations utilizing artificial intelligence-driven drones and highly mobile combat vehicles. Their long-term objective is to transform all combat units along these lines by the year 2040.
Furthermore, the South Korean army hosted what they referred to as their inaugural international future warfare competition, spanning five days until Saturday, featuring the participation of approximately 300 troops from five different countries, including Britain, Uzbekistan, and Cambodia.
US, Drills, South Korea, Troops, Drones, Laser, Sensors
