South Korean and US military aircraft have staged regular combined live-fire drills to strengthen readiness against North Korean threats. It comes amid heightened tensions over Pyongyang’s failed satellite launch.

The Seoul’s Air Force said, over 90 aircraft, including the South Korea’s F-35A stealth fighters and the US A-10 attack aircraft, have been mobilised for the four-day exercise that began yesterday over waters off South Korea’s west coast. The exercise is focused on strengthening the participating pilots’ strike capabilities and bolstering readiness against possible enemy provocations.