In this file photo dated June 7, 2022 and provided by the Republic of Korea's defense ministry, fighter jets of the US and the ROK's air forces fly in formation during a joint drill. (PHOTO / ROK DEFENSE MINISTRY VIA AP)

SEOUL – The Republic of Korea and the United States kicked off their large-scale joint air drills on Monday, involving about 240 warplanes, according to the ROK air force.

The operation, called Vigilant Storm, will run until Friday and will feature about 1,600 sorties. That number of missions is the highest ever for this annual event, according to the US air force.

The operation, called Vigilant Storm, will run until Friday and will feature about 1,600 sorties. That number of missions is the highest ever for this annual event, according to the US air force

The drills will mobilize around 140 military aircraft from the ROK side including F-35A stealth jets, F-15K and KF-16 fighters, as well as KC-330 tankers.

The US air force will deploy about 100 aircraft, such as F-35B stealth fighters, EA-18 electronic warfare aircraft, U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft and KC-135 tankers.

The Australian air force will join the air drills by sending one KC-30A tanker.

During the drills, the combined air forces will make some 1,600 sorties to review the Korea Air and Space Operations Center's (KAOC) operational capability to command the combined forces.

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Pyongyang has condemned joint drills as a rehearsal for invasion and proof of hostile policies by Washington and Seoul. In protest of recent drills, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has launched missiles, conducted air drills, and fired artillery into the sea.

"(ROK) and US Air Forces will work together with the joint services to perform major air missions such as close air support, defensive counter air, and emergency air operations 24 hours a day during the training period," the US Air Force said. "Support forces on the ground will also train their base defense procedures and survivability in case of attack."

On Friday, ROK troops finished the 12-day Hoguk 22 field exercises, which featured mock amphibious landings and river crossings, including some drills with US forces.

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With Agencies inputs